Knights of St. John in Nigeria to Resume Operation after Catholic Bishops Lift Suspension

In the February 16 memo announcing the suspension of the activities of KSJI in Nigeria, Catholic Bishops in the West African nation had noted efforts of the Local Ordinary of the country’s Otukpo Diocese to address the challenges the Order was facing.

In the memo that was signed by the then president of CBCN, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze, and the Secretary of the Conference, Bishop Camillus Umoh, Catholic Bishops in Nigeria expressed their appreciation for “the efforts of Bishop Michael Apochi in handling the crisis in the Knighthood of St. John’s International. His sacrifices and unrelenting efforts at working for peace within the order are well noted with gratitude.”

While they expressed their awareness of KSJI having conducted elections for new leaders of the Order that stands for Catholic virtues of faith, hope, and love under a banner of fraternity, Catholic Bishops in Nigeria said they did not recognize the elections.

They explained, “The directives given at the CBCN in Enugu requesting for reconciliation between the opposing sides within the order have not been heeded; the bylaws submitted to the CBCN have not yet been approved.”

“In light of the above, the Bishops call for a concerted effort toward reconciliation,” CBCN members said, adding, “This should be undertaken by members of the KSJI themselves (without episcopal supervision). Let the past be permanently laid to rest.”

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They continued in their February 16 memo, “All aggrieved members should be called to the reconciliation table. The CBCN should be duly informed that a true and genuine reconciliation has been achieved. It is only on these grounds that the CBCN can begin to take steps toward recognising the elections conducted.”

Catholic Bishops in Nigeria called “for a spirit of humility, honesty and mutual forgiveness among and within the membership of the KSJl.”

“The CBCN has declared an indefinite suspension of KSJI at the national, provincial, Diocesan and parish levels. The said suspension will be in place until the Bishops are convinced that the order has actually achieved a genuine reconciliation,” CBCN members said February 16.

In their September 13 statement lifting the suspension, Catholic Bishops in Nigeria urge members of KSJI to “shun the spirit of division and rancour”.

“Whilst commending you to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, we earnestly urge you to shun the spirit of division and rancour so as to strengthen the bond of love that holds you together as a family and members of the Body of Christ,” Catholic Bishops in Nigeria say in their statement signed by CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji.