Ahiara Catholic Diocese set to ordain another batch of priests May 4

Success Damian:

All is now set for the ordination of another batch of Reverend priests by the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, Mbaise, Imo State.

The ordination which would by held at the Maria Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral Ahiara on the 4^th of May, 2019 would be performed by His Lordship, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorgi, Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese.

Among those to be ordained is Rev. Christogonus Chinonso Okonko.

According to a press release by Mrs Charity Nnaji, Senior Sister to Rev. Okonko, on 5^th May, there would be a Holy Mass at the Christ the King Parish Okpofe to be celebrated by Rev. Father Christogonus Chinonso Okonko, one of the newly ordained priests.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs Nnaji said “We are happy to witness the epoch-making occasion. I think this should be the second batch of priestly ordination since the coming of Rev. Ugorji.

“Many of these Seminarians completed their studies as required by the church over five years ago, but could not be ordained because of the problem of who became the Bishop. Thank God peace has returned. I sincerely pray that God will empower all the young priests who are being ordained so that the people will feel the impact of God and Christianity in their lives,” Mrs Nnaji stated.

Recall that Ahiara Diocese was in the eye of the storm following the appointment of Bishop Peter Ebele Okaleke as Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese after the demise of the former Bishop. The appointment was vehemently criticized and rejected by Mbaise Catholic faithful for falling short of the expectations and rules guiding the appointments of Bishops under the Catholic institution.

However the imbroglio was finally rested when Bishop Okpalaeke in 2017, stretched by pressure from the good people of Mbaise, threw in the towel by tendering his letter of resignation to the Pope.

With the resignation by Bishop Okpalaeke, the much sought peace in the Ahiara Diocese returned, hence paving way for the young seminarians who have passed their various examinations as required by the catholic institution, to be ordained into the priesthood.

Since the coming of Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji as the Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese, the people are happy even as the young seminarians were re-examined, re-tested and certified credible both in character and learning before the final nod for their ordination by the Bishop.

The Okonko Family and the entire Okpofe community are happy to witness their son, Chinonso, joining his colleagues in their ordination into the Catholic priestood. It can only be through God’s power.