The infamous Anambra burial law appears to have ignited a fierce disagreement between two powerful Catholic bishops in the State.
The law which was passed in 2019 by the state House of Assembly has received backlash in some quarters while some people have commended the law.
Many who are opposed to the law, are citing its infringement on the fundamental rights of citizens.
One of the major promoters of the bill before it was passed into law was Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor of Catholic Diocese of Awka.
While many stakeholders including other religious leaders in the State have spoken against the law,
Bishop Ezeokafor has come out in full support of the law, stating that compliance would be beneficial to all, regardless of wealth or social standing. During a recent celebration marking the two-year anniversary of Governor Prof. Charles Soludo’s term, Ezeokafor commended the governor for setting an example by adhering to the burial law during his father’s funeral. He also praised the state lawmakers for their efforts in passing the law, urging both the church and the traditional community to embrace it for the greater good of the people.
Ezeokafor emphasized that wasting economic resources on week-long burials could be put to better use in human development and empowerment. He urged everyone to follow the governor’s lead and transfer the focus from extravagant ceremonies to initiatives that alleviate hunger and improve the lives of the people. Additionally, Ezeokafor cautioned the church to support the government, reminding them of their subordination to the governing authorities.
This new stance by Ezeokafor is in contrast with the position of his ecclesiastical senior, Archbishop Valerian Okeke of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha and Metropolitan of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province ,who holds a different perspective. About 2 months ago at the burial of Reverend Father Obimma’s mother, Governor Soludo criticized the family for exceeding the expenditure limit prescribed by the burial law. Okeke rebuked the governor for meddling in matters outside of his jurisdiction, urging him to respect the separation of powers. Okeke argued that the government should prioritize more pressing issues rather than legislating on how Christian burials should be conducted. In his view, any law that is impossible to enforce should be considered unjust. Okeke emphasized that the church has the authority to establish laws within its ecclesiastical jurisdiction, while the government operates within its own separate realm.
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