The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has appointed Most Rev Lucius Ugorji, the Bishop of Umuahia as the new Apostolic Administrator of the troubled Ahaira Diocese in Imo State.
This followed the resignation of Most Rev Peter Okpalaeke as the Bishop of the diocese, due to the crisis that has lingered in the diocese for nearly six years.
The Director of Social Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) Rev. Fr. Chris Anyanwu in a statement on Monday in Abuja said the appointment is with immediate effect.
“Following the resignation of Most Rev Peter Okpalaeke as the Bishop of Ahaira Diocese, as a result of the crisis that has lingered for nearly six years in that diocese, His Holiness Pope Francis has today appointed Most Rev Lucius Ugorji, the Bishop of Umuahia as the Apostolic Administrator of Ahaira Diocese. This appointment is with immediate effect,” Anyanwu said.
Daily Trust report that Okpalaeke who is expected to be given an higher responsibility and authority resigned following series of crisis with most members of the diocese rejecting him after his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
The intervention of John Cardinal Onaiyekan and many leaders apart from threat of sanction on the diocese did not yielded any result due to the insistence of those opposing Mr Okpalaeke.
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