Pope Francis angry with Nigerian priests over Ahiara Catholic church crisis

There has been crisis among the priests and members of Ahiara Catholic Church in Imo state

The crisis started when church faithfuls rejected Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke, appointed by Benedict XVI in 2012

Okpaleke was rejected because he is not from Mbaise, a South-East town

Pope Francis has lashed out at some Nigerian priests at Catholic church, Ahiara, Imo state and threaten to suspend them over their refusal to accept Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke.

Okpaleke, an Igbo man from Anambra state, who was appointed by Benedict XVI, was rejected by Catholic leaders in Ahiara because he was not from Mbaise town.

Recall that NAIJ.com had earlier reported that the matter was taken to Pope Francis who advised the priest against tribal loyalties but it seems the Pope's advice was ignored.


Sad that his advice was ignored and the crisis continues, Pope Francis has issued an ultimatum to Catholic leaders in Ahiara to accept Okpaleke or risk losing their jobs.


Pope Francis and Bishop Okpaleke

The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano who reported the pope's order said on Sunday that Francis was acting “for the good of the people of God” by threatening to suspend the priests from the ministry if they didn’t pledge in a letter, by July 9, “total obedience” to Francis and accept Bishop Peter Okpaleke’s appointment.

He said those priest opposing Okpaleke, “want to destroy the church, which is not permitted."


He added: “The pope can’t be indifferent to the rebellion."

He has often taken a conciliatory tone in resolving disputes, but in this one he was entertaining no diplomacy. He demanded that each priest in the diocese write to him asking forgiveness and “clearly manifest total obedience to the pope.”

They must also accept the bishop chosen by Rome. If, within a month, each priest doesn’t do so, he will be “ispo facto suspended,” such as from the celebration of the sacraments, and “will lose his current office."

Francis acknowledged that his move “seems very harsh.” He added that he had even considered the extraordinary remedy of suppressing the entire diocese but didn’t, so as not to hurt rank-and-file faithful.


Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had recently reported that the US President Donald Trump and Pope Francis met on Wednesday in the Vatican City during Trump’s 1st foreign presidential trip.

The president, who was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, was warmly welcomed at the Pope’s palace where they held a private meeting before he emerged to talk to the press.

“It is such an honour…It was a great honour. Thank you very much.” President Trump could be heard saying as he exchanged firm handshake with the jovial-looking Pope and as they posed for photos.