By Titus Chigozie
The Catholic Diocese of Awka has cautioned its priest, Rev. Fr. Cajethan Obiekezie for what they described as unnecessary utterances against the Anglican Communion and the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.
According to a statement signed by the Awka Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Ndubuisi, the church is poised to invoke canon laws the sanction the erring priest who delivered recent homilies that has gone viral on the social media.
The statement reads:
Dear Sons and Daughters of God,
The Recent Homilies Of Rev. Fr. Cajethan Obiekezie: A Disclaimer.
“The attention of the Catholic Diocese of Awka has been drawn to the recent homilies of Rev. Fr. Cajethan Obiekezie which have gone viral on the social media , where he made some unnecessary utterances capable of destroying the long last relationship we have enjoyed with the Anglican Communion in Anambra State and also capable of over-heating the polity. There are some utterances against the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo and other politicians within and outside the state.
The Catholic Diocese of Awka wishes to disociate herself completely from those utterances. Rev. Fr. Cajethan Obiekezie has no mandate of the diocese of Awka to do so. The church has inherent right, independent of any human authority to preach the gospel to all peoples…for it is the Church that Christ the Lord has entrusted the deposit of faith(can. 747). However, this inherent right must be exercised within the laid down rules and regulations.
In the context of Mass, the rules of homilies should necessarily apply (cann. 768 & 1, 2, 769, 772 & 1). Therefore, the platform offered by the pulpit cannot be used for personal sentiments and verbal attack, capable of anybody’s good name. “The legislator insists that no one may lawfully harm the good reputation which a person may enjoy, or violate the rights of every person to protect his or her privacy” (can. 220).
The statement concludes; “The diocese will take the necessary steps to continue to teach her priests the sanctity of the pulpit and the will not hesitate to apply sanctions where necessary”.
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