Ahiara Diocese was under the temporary leadership of Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Nigeria’s Owerri Archdiocese as Apostolic Administrator since February 2018 following the resignation of Bishop Peter Okpaleke, now Cardinal.
The December 2012 Episcopal appointment of then Bishop-elect Okpaleke was rejected by a section of the Clergy and Laity of the Nigerian Diocese, who claimed that he, a member of the Clergy of Nigeria’s Awka Diocese, comes from outside the dominant ethnic group of Ahiara Diocese, the Mbaise.
Those who protested the Papal appointment argued that members of the Clergy of Ahiara Diocese were under-represented in the Catholic Church hierarchy in Africa’s most populous nation.
The Bishop-elect was impeded from setting foot in the territory covered by Ahiara Diocese; and his May 2013 Episcopal Ordination took place outside Ahiara Diocese, in Nigeria’s Owerri Archdiocese.
As Bishop, he was not allowed to access Ahiara Diocese, even after Pope Francis, in July 2017, directed all members of Clergy of the Nigerian Episcopal See to pledge fidelity to him in writing, and to express their acceptance of the appointment of then Bishop Okpaleke as their Shepherd.
Having failed to exercise his Episcopal Ministry in the Nigerian Diocese, Bishop Okpaleke made known to Pope Francis his decision to resign in writing. On 19 February 2018, the Holy Father accepted Bishop Okpaleke’s resignation and “relieved him of the pastoral care of the Diocese of Ahiara”. He was later appointed pioneer Bishop of Nigeria’s Ekwulobia Diocese, which had been erected on 5 March 2020.
In his June 20 address, Bishop Nwobi recalled the past challenges, saying, “The bishopric crisis has rocked our foundation and the trust of many in the institution of the Priesthood. It is a heartbreaking chapter in our history and as a Bishop and as your Bishop, I wish to appeal that we look to the future with hope.”
“How heartening it is to learn of the steps already taken by some Priests and lay faithful of this Diocese to foster unity, peace, and reconciliation. Given that to err is human and to forgive is divine, I earnestly plead with all who have suffered personal hurt, humiliation, and exclusion to forgive from the depths of their hearts and let those who offended them find their place once more in their hearts,” the member of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) said.
He continued, “Mutual suspicion and distrust should now give way to mutual love and understanding. All should unite in hearts and minds forgetting those things; all should therefore bury the raw and painful memories of the past. Indeed, Ahiara has risen from the ruins; Ahiara will be great again.”
“It is our collective responsibility to bear witness to the truth of the gospel, to live out the tenets in our service to others, especially to the poor, the marginalized, and the downtrodden,” Bishop Nwobi further said, and added, “Today, my dear people of God marks not just the inauguration of my service as your Bishop, but also the beginning of a collective journey of rejuvenation, spiritual resurgence in our Diocese.”
