There was tension in Mbasie on Sunday 25th May, 2014 as speculations heightened that few pro Bishop Okpaleke indigenous priests and few traditional rulers and their supporters are making plans to sneak in the prelate into Mbaise to mark his 1st anniversary.
In a peaceful process and high level contacts, Mbaise Catholics and their indigenous priests, religious, traditional rulers were able to control the situation as they foiled the attempt by the 6 pro Bishop Okpaleke priests to bring into Ahiara Diocese the rejected Bishop which would have been counterproductive if it did not suffer the setback. According to sources, the few priests who had perfected arrangement to welcome Bishop Okpaleke to celebrate his One year of consecration as a Bishop were shocked to realize that Bishop Okpaleke would not be present at the event.
The special event Sunday Mass which was earlier scheduled to be held at the Ahiara Cathedral was moved to St Roses Catholic Parish Ihitte as the pro Bishop Okpaleke priests went ahead under tight security to celebrate the Sunday Mass in a low key. The Mass started at about 10 30am after a mini skirmish between the men of Governor Okorocha’s Imo Security Network, the police and some youths of the Diocese who came to the church and were accused by the pro Okpaleke priests of being agents sent to destabilize the event of the day.
In an opening prayer, Rev Fr Jude Uwalaka the leader of the pro Okpaleke group noted that the intentions for the mass were for the peace and progress of Ahiara Diocese and for Bishop Okpaleke asking for the will of God to prevail.
Delivering the homily, Rev Fr Leo Eke an indigenous priest of Mbaise in Oyo Catholic Diocese noted that he was invited by his co celebrants and that he sort and got the express permission of the Bishop of Oyo Catholic Diocese, Cardinal John Onaikan, the Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese and Bishop Kaigama to participate in the thanks giving mass for Bishop Okpaleke. “I did not come on my own. I was invited by the priests here with me today”, Rev Fr Leo noted.
The priest who gave the theme of his homily as: “Bishop Okpaleke is a prayer answered by God for Ahiara Diocese”, noted that God abhors hatred and loves peace and truth stressing that the significance of holding the church service at St Roses is to give respect and honour to late Bishop Chikwe. Rev Fr Leo noted that they are not agents of any Bishop or Cardinal but that of Christ who are committed to the process and laws of the church and do not believe in violence. He urged any person who may have come to the church to cause trouble to leave the premises. He reminded the faithful that at the demise of the late Bishop Chikwe, Ahiara Diocese embarked on a serious prayer to God for a year and four months for a Bishop which culminated in the emergence of Bishop Okpaleke noting that Okpaleke is the answer to the prayer for a Bishop by Ahiara Diocese hence he urged the people not to question God’s decision and choice. On the allegations that Cardinal Arinze manipulated the appointment of Bishop Okpaleke, he questioned who is Cardinal Arinze to play God? He added that only a round table dialogue will resolve the matter.
The priests that attended the Mass include: Rev Fr Jude Uwalaka, leader of the Pro Okpaleke, Rev Fr Clement Ebii, Rev Fr Chima Ahaneku, Rev Fr Damian Ihesie, Rev Fr Innocent Olekamma, and Rev Fr Leo Eke. Only two traditional rulers of Mbaise, HRM Eze Desmond Oguguo and HRH Eze S.P Iwu and a Rev Sister were part of the event. Eze Oguguo noted that Mbaise people have been sent to work in other places hence it is unfair for the people to challenge the church.
In a reaction, the Ahiara indigenous priests who are still vehement in their resolve not to accept Bishop Okpaleke in Ahiara Diocese because they claim his appointment was contrary to the due process of canonical law and an appointment anchored on nepotism, thanked God that the plans of destabilizing Mbaise Catholics by those they called dissident priests. They added that the priest who gave the homily who claimed he got permission from Bishop of Oyo is a Vagus in that Diocese.
They noted that Mbaise priests and the people are hospitable, caring, peace loving and do not engage in violence. They called on Ahiara Catholics to go on with their faith as the will of God which abhors injustice will prevail.
