27 February 2018
Recently, a good friend of mine from Mbaise but now based in the US intimated me of the breaking news that the Vatican had about-faced and were in support of the recent resignation of the embattled Bishop Peter Okpaleke. He also sent me a link to the post on the hot topic published by the highly reputable Washington Post. He wanted my reaction because he felt I had reacted harshly (against the good people of Mbaise) some months ago when the Vatican waded into the imbroglio.
I was born into the catholic church and I'm still catholic at heart. I understand to a fair extent how the institution operates. And I also know how powerful and influential the catholic institution in Imo state is, having schooled there. Whilst I still insist the people of Ahiara were wrong to have categorically, vehemently and violently rejected Bishop Okpaleke, an Anambra man and a purported 'stooge' of Francis Cardinal Arinze the way they did, I understand that they (Mbaise people) have the highest priests per capita in Africa and by virtue of that, should have in normal circumstances, had at least one of their own sons appointed Bishop by now.
Hence, I understand their grievances and empathise with them accordingly, but I once cited the situation in the Catholic church in Cross River —even though the Efik people are the largest homogeneous group in the state with presence in six local governments, an Efik priest has never been elevated to Bishop/Archi-Bishop of the Calabar archdiocese —I stand to be corrected.
What the Mbaise people did is logically quite alright but I just feel it may set a precedent for laity disobedience and clergy insubordination in the Catholic church in Nigeria and even the world as the case may be. It may also have an effect on Igbo unity as questions are already being raised. For instance, Anambra people are already pointing to the fact that an Mbaise son is the VC of the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe university, Awka.
In the end, I see an Mbaise priest being made a Bishop very soon but that to a large extent, would depend on their acceptance of the acting Bishop appointed by Rome, who I learnt is from Abia state.
Simon Utsu
Is a public affairs analyst
