Rome intervenes in Ihiala Church crisis, sacks Holy Ghost Priests

By Our correspondent

In a dramatic turn of events, Rome has officially intervened in the long-standing crisis at St. Martins Catholic Church in Ihiala, Anambra State, by sacking the Holy Ghost Priests and assigning a new congregation to take over the church.

According to a letter from the Ihiala Indigenous Priests and Religious Association, signed by Rev. Fr. Desmond Ebulue, the President, the Dicastery of Evangelization in Rome has provisionally assigned the Redemptorist Congregation to take over the ordinary and extraordinary pastoral care of St. Martins of Tours parish, Ihiala.

The letter, addressed to the President General of Ihiala Progressive Union, Okey Leo Chagba, ESQ, stated that the ceremony of installation would take place on August 15, 2024.

This development comes after a two-year standoff between the Holy Ghost Priests and the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Anambra State, Jonas Benson Okoye, over alleged insubordination.

The five Spiritan Priests, who claimed their order had been in possession of the parish for over 100 years, refused to vacate the parish despite the Bishop’s order.

The priests, described as “Holy Ghost Priests,” had been having a running battle with the Bishop over their residency in the parish, which allegedly led to their ejection from the parsonage of the church by Bishop Okoye.

The Bishop’s action followed an administrative re-arrangement aimed at creating a new parish in the area.

However, the priests refused to comply, leading to a stalemate. The Diocese subsequently withdrew their canonical faculties, also known as authorities to perform acts or functions in the parish.

Rome’s intervention brings an end to the crisis, with the Redemptorist Congregation set to take over the church’s pastoral care.

The letter from the Ihiala Indigenous Priests and Religious Association thanked the Ihiala Progressive Union for their efforts in maintaining peace and public safety in the town and assured them of their support in the transition process.

The development has been seen as a significant move by the Vatican to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy to the church.

The Redemptorist Congregation is expected to bring a new era of peace and stability to the parish, which has been rocked by the crisis.

The sacking of the Holy Ghost Priests and the assignment of a new congregation to take over the church is seen as a bold move by Rome to assert its authority and resolve the crisis.

As the church prepares for the transition, many are optimistic that the Redemptorist Congregation will bring a new era of peace and stability to the parish.

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