By Ohanele Casca
The reason for the recent shuttle visit to Rome by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has been uncovered. The visit, it was revealed by one of the governor’s aide was packaged by Cardinal Arinze who secured an appointment for the governor to meet with Pope Francis I, in the wake of the continued resistance by Mbaise Nation over the imposition of Monsgr Okpaleke on Ahiara Diocese. During the visit, the governor was urged to provide security for the installation of the Ahiara Diocese Bishop designate to which the Governor promised to carry out.
The governor it was understood has already briefed the three Honourable Members of the House of Assembly from Mbaise and the three Solads to ensure a water tight security for a smooth installation of the Bishop. This development coming at the wake of continued distaste of the manner the Bishop is being forced on Ahaira Diocese by Cardinal Arinze who has so far appointed 5 of his kinsmen bishops in many Dioceses taking advantage of his position in the Vatican. Analysts however, are of the opinion that this measure has the capacity to pinch the Mbaise Nation against the governor who ordinarily should be carrying out his statutory function of providing security in his state. On another angle some have viewed that this development is also capable of generating bad blood between the Roman Catholic Church and Catholic faithful in Mbaise who has sworn not to accept Okpaleke come to Ahiara should the governor oblige Cardinal Francis’s pleasures.
According to one of the Mbaise indigenous cleric who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, criticized the manner in which Cardinal Arinze has pursued this agenda; without given any room for the peaceful resolution of the already tensed up situation. He added that the governor should have delved into the matter through a dialogue with Mbaise stakeholders rather than carrying out the request of Cardinal Arinze. Ahiara Diocese is resolute in their refusal of the imposition of the Bishop. Meanwhile tension has continued to escalate in Mbaise, information reliably gathered has shown that Archbishop Anthony J.V. Obinna and some other Bishops paid an unscheduled visit to the governor yesterday at the Government House which may not be unconnected with the plan to consecrate Monsgr. Peter Okpaleke as Bishop of Ahiara Diocese all means.
Questions have continued to make rounds is what will be the reactions of Catholic faithful on Monsgr, Okpaleke is forcefully consecrated and enforced on the people of Mbaise? Will his authority be respected? Will he empower his kinsmen of Awka in Mbaise on the bills of Ahiara Diocese? What if the Mbaise indigenous Priests decide not to obey the Bishop, will the doctrine of once a priest is a priest forever hold?
It will be recalled that the Catholic faithful of the Diocese yesterday had an all interdenominational street protest in their black attire which added at the Ahiara Cathedral with a commendation service.
This Newspaper was also aware of a joint communiqué by the people of Mbaise which however was not available as at press time yesterday
