O correspondente da RECOWACERAO NEWS AGENCY, RECONA com sede em Lagos, capital comercial da Nigéria, informou que o Papa Francisco acaba de nomear um Bispo Auxiliar para Administrador Apostólico de Ahiara, Nigéria. detalhes da notícia dizem que a nomeação do membro da Congregação dos Filhos Missionários do Imaculado Coração de Maria (Claretianos), que deverá auxiliar o Arcebispo Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, da Arquidiocese de Owerri, na Nigéria, no governo da Diocese de Ahiara, foi publicada por na Sala de Imprensa da Santa Sé no dia 14 de outubro. Nascido em março de 1960, o bispo eleito, natural da diocese de Ahiara, na Nigéria, foi ordenado sacerdote em julho de 1990, depois de emitir os primeiros votos perpétuos como claretiano.
Mons. Nwobi, que foi designado para a Sé Titular de Rusguniae, possui um Diploma em Administração Pública pela Universidade Estadual de Ciência e Tecnologia de Enugu, na Nigéria.
Ele também possui licenciatura em Missiologia pela Pontifícia Universidade Gregoriana de Roma e mestrado em Administração Pública pela Universidade Nacional Aberta da Nigéria (NOUN).
Como sacerdote, o bispo eleito desempenhou vários cargos, incluindo pároco de Santo Antônio em Igbo-Ora e tesoureiro da Teologia Claretiana de Enugu.
Na sua Congregação dos Claretianos, o Bispo Auxiliar Eleito da Nigéria serviu como Superior Provincial da Província da Nigéria Oriental, Diretor do Departamento de Espiritualidade do Instituto Claretiano de Filosofia de Maryland, Nedeke, Professor no Bigard Memorial Seminary de Enugu e Prefeito do Apostolado na Cúria Provincial Claretiana de New Owerri, entre outras responsabilidades.
A Diocese Católica de Ahiara, com 453.005 católicos, segundo estatísticas de 2022, está sob o comando do Arcebispo Ugorji como Administrador Apostólico desde fevereiro de 2018, após a renúncia do Bispo Okpaleke, agora Cardeal.
O cardeal nigeriano de 60 anos foi nomeado Ordinário local da Diocese de Ahiara em dezembro de 2012. A sua nomeação foi rejeitada por uma secção do clero e dos leigos da diocese nigeriana.
A rejeição do Cardeal Okpaleke, membro do clero da Diocese de Awka, na Nigéria, baseou-se na alegação de que ele vem de fora do grupo étnico dominante da Diocese de Ahiara, os Mbaise.
Aqueles que protestaram contra a nomeação papal argumentaram que os membros do clero da Diocese de Ahiara estavam sub-representados na hierarquia da Igreja Católica no país da África Ocidental.
Ele foi impedido de pisar no território da Diocese de Ahiara. Como resultado, muitas atividades da Igreja na Diocese Católica foram interrompidas, incluindo a ordenação de candidatos ao diaconato.
A ordenação episcopal do Cardeal Okpaleke em maio de 2013 ocorreu fora da Diocese de Ahiara, no Seminário Seat of Wisdom, Ulakwo, na Arquidiocese de Owerri, na Nigéria.
A rejeição persistiu mesmo depois da consagração episcopal do cardeal nigeriano. Em julho de 2017, o Papa Francisco instruiu todos os membros do clero da Diocese de Ahiara a prometerem-lhe fidelidade por escrito e a expressarem a sua aceitação da nomeação do então Bispo Okpaleke como seu Pastor.
Segundo um relatório da Agência Fides, o Santo Padre “recebeu 200 cartas de sacerdotes individuais da Diocese de Ahiara, nas quais lhe manifestaram obediência e fidelidade. Alguns padres, no entanto, apontaram a sua dificuldade psicológica em colaborar com o bispo (Okpaleke) depois de anos de conflito”.
O Papa Francisco não seguiu o caminho das sanções canônicas e, em vez disso, através da Congregação para a Evangelização dos Povos, orientou o clero da Diocese de Ahiara “a refletir sobre os graves danos infligidos à Igreja de Cristo e expressou a esperança de que no futuro eles irão nunca mais repetir ações tão irracionais contra um Bispo legitimamente nomeado pelo Sumo Pontífice”, informou a Agência Fides.
Não tendo conseguido exercer o seu ministério episcopal na diocese nigeriana, Dom Okpaleke comunicou ao Papa Francisco a sua decisão de renunciar por escrito. No dia 19 de fevereiro de 2018, o Santo Padre aceitou a renúncia de Dom Okpaleke e “libertou-o do cuidado pastoral da Diocese de Ahiara”.
O Papa Francisco nomeou-o Bispo pioneiro da Diocese de Ekwulobia, na Nigéria, erigida em 5 de março de 2020.
Dom Okpaleke estava entre os 21 Cardeais designados que o Papa Francisco nomeou em 29 de maio de 2022. Ele estava entre os 20 novos Cardeais que o Santo Padre criou durante o Consistório de 27 de agosto de 2022.
Le correspondant de RECOWACERAO NEWS AGENCY, RECONA, basé à Lagos, la capitale commerciale du Nigeria, a rapporté que le pape François vient de nommer un évêque auxiliaire pour l’administrateur apostolique d’Ahiara, au Nigeria les détails de la nouvelle indiquent que la nomination du membre de la Congrégation des Fils Missionnaires du Cœur Immaculé de Marie (Clarétains), qui devrait assister l’archevêque Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji de l’archidiocèse d’Owerri au Nigeria dans la gouvernance du diocèse d’Ahiara, a été publiée par au bureau de presse du Saint-Siège, le 14 octobre. Né en mars 1960, l’évêque élu, originaire du diocèse d’Ahiara au Nigeria, a été ordonné prêtre en juillet 1990 après avoir prononcé ses premiers et perpétuels vœux de clarétain.
Mons. Nwobi, qui a reçu le siège titulaire de Rusguniae, est titulaire d’un diplôme en administration publique de l’Université d’État des sciences et technologies d’Enugu au Nigeria.
Il est également titulaire d’une licence en missiologie de l’Université pontificale grégorienne de Rome et d’une maîtrise en administration publique de l’Université nationale ouverte du Nigeria (NOUN).
En tant que prêtre, l’évêque élu a occupé divers postes, notamment celui de curé de la paroisse Saint-Antoine d’Igbo-Ora et d’économe de la théologie clarétaine d’Enugu.
Dans sa Congrégation des Clarétains, l’Évêque auxiliaire élu du Nigéria a été Supérieur provincial de la Province du Nigéria oriental, Directeur du Département de Spiritualité de l’Institut Clarétain de Philosophie du Maryland, Nedeke, Maître de conférences au Séminaire Bigard Memorial d’Enugu et Préfet. de l’apostolat à la Curie provinciale clarétaine de New Owerri, entre autres responsabilités.
Le diocèse catholique d’Ahiara, qui compte 453 005 catholiques, selon les statistiques de 2022, est placé sous la direction de Mgr Ugorji en tant qu’administrateur apostolique depuis février 2018, suite à la démission de Mgr Okpaleke, aujourd’hui cardinal.
Le cardinal nigérian, âgé de 60 ans, a été nommé Ordinaire local du diocèse d’Ahiara en décembre 2012. Sa nomination a été rejetée par une section du clergé et des laïcs du diocèse nigérian.
Le rejet du cardinal Okpaleke, membre du clergé du diocèse d’Awka au Nigeria, était fondé sur l’affirmation selon laquelle il venait de l’extérieur du groupe ethnique dominant du diocèse d’Ahiara, les Mbaise.
Ceux qui ont protesté contre la nomination papale ont fait valoir que les membres du clergé du diocèse d’Ahiara étaient sous-représentés dans la hiérarchie de l’Église catholique dans ce pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest.
Il a été empêché de mettre les pieds sur le territoire couvert par le diocèse d’Ahiara. En conséquence, de nombreuses activités de l’Église dans le diocèse catholique ont été interrompues, notamment l’ordination des candidats au diaconat.
L’ordination épiscopale du cardinal Okpaleke en mai 2013 a eu lieu à l’extérieur du diocèse d’Ahiara, au siège du séminaire de la sagesse, à Ulakwo, dans l’archidiocèse d’Owerri au Nigeria.
Le rejet a persisté même après la consécration épiscopale du cardinal nigérian. En juillet 2017, le pape François a demandé à tous les membres du clergé du diocèse d’Ahiara de lui promettre fidélité par écrit et d’exprimer leur acceptation de la nomination de l’évêque Okpaleke de l’époque comme leur berger.
Selon un rapport de l’Agence Fides, le Saint-Père « a reçu 200 lettres de prêtres individuels du Diocèse d’Ahiara, dans lesquelles ils lui manifestaient obéissance et fidélité. Certains prêtres ont cependant souligné leur difficulté psychologique à collaborer avec l’évêque (Okpaleke) après des années de conflit.
Le pape François n’a pas emprunté la voie des sanctions canoniques et a plutôt, par l’intermédiaire de la Congrégation pour l’évangélisation des peuples, ordonné au clergé du diocèse d’Ahiara « de réfléchir aux graves dommages infligés à l’Église du Christ et a exprimé l’espoir qu’à l’avenir, ils le feront. ne jamais répéter de telles actions déraisonnables à l’encontre d’un Evêque légitimement nommé par le Souverain Pontife » rapporte l’Agence Fides.
N’ayant pas exercé son ministère épiscopal dans le diocèse nigérian, Mgr Okpaleke a fait connaître par écrit au pape François sa décision de démissionner. Le 19 février 2018, le Saint-Père a accepté la démission de Mgr Okpaleke et « l’a relevé de la charge pastorale du diocèse d’Ahiara ».
Le pape François l’a nommé évêque pionnier du diocèse d’Ekwulobia au Nigeria, érigé le 5 mars 2020.
Mgr Okpaleke faisait partie des 21 cardinaux désignés que le pape François a nommés le 29 mai 2022. Il faisait partie des 20 nouveaux cardinaux créés par le Saint-Père lors du Consistoire du 27 août 2022.
The Correspondent of RECOWACERAO NEWS AGENCY, RECONA based in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria has reported that Pope Francis has just Appointed an Auxiliary Bishop for Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara, Nigeria. details of the news have it that the appointment of the member of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians), who is expected to assist Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Nigeria’s Owerri Archdiocese in governing Ahiara Diocese, was published by the Holy See Press office on October 14. Born in March 1960, the Bishop-elect, a native of Nigeria’s Ahiara Diocese, was ordained a Priest in July 1990 after taking his first and perpetual vows as a Claretian.
Mons. Nwobi who has been assigned the Titular See of Rusguniae holds a Diploma in Public Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology in Nigeria.
He also holds a Licentiate in Missiology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
As a Priest, the Bishop-elect has served in various capacities, including Parish Priest at St. Anthony’s in Igbo-Ora and Bursar of the Claretian Theology of Enugu.
In his Congregation of the Claretians, the Nigerian Auxiliary Bishop-elect has served as Provincial Superior of East Nigeria Province, Director of the Department of Spirituality of the Claretian Institute of Philosophy Maryland, Nedeke, Lecturer at the Bigard Memorial Seminary of Enugu, and Prefect of the Apostolate at the Claretian Provincial Curia of New Owerri, among other responsibilities.
The Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, with 453,005 Catholics, according to 2022 statistics, has been under Archbishop Ugorji as Apostolic Administrator since February 2018 following the resignation of Bishop Okpaleke, now Cardinal.
The 60-year-old Nigerian Cardinal was appointed the Local Ordinary of Ahiara Diocese in December 2012. His appointment was rejected by a section of the Clergy and Laity of the Nigerian Diocese.
The rejection of Cardinal Okpaleke, a member of the Clergy of Nigeria’s Awka Diocese, was based on the claim that he comes from outside the dominant ethnic group of the 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 the West African nation.
He was impeded from setting foot in the territory covered by the Ahiara Diocese. As a result, many Church activities in the Catholic Diocese were halted, including the ordination of candidates to Diaconate.
The May 2013 Episcopal Ordination of Cardinal Okpaleke took place outside Ahiara Diocese, at Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Ulakwo, in Nigeria’s Owerri Archdiocese.
The rejection persisted even after the Nigerian Cardinal’s Episcopal Consecration. In July 2017, Pope Francis directed all members of Clergy of the Ahiara Diocese to pledge fidelity to him in writing and to express their acceptance of the appointment of then-Bishop Okpaleke as their Shepherd.
According to a report by Agenzia Fides, the Holy Father “received 200 letters from individual priests of the Diocese of Ahiara, in which they manifested to him obedience and fidelity. Some priests, however, pointed out their psychological difficulty in collaborating with the bishop (Okpaleke) after years of conflict.”
Pope Francis did not take the route of canonical sanctions and instead, through the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, directed the Clergy of Ahiara Diocese “to reflect on the grave damage inflicted on the Church of Christ and expressed hope that in the future they will never again repeat such unreasonable actions opposing a Bishop legitimately appointed by the Supreme Pontiff,” Agenzia Fides reported.
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.”
Pope Francis appointed him pioneer Bishop of Nigeria’s Ekwulobia Diocese, which had been erected on 5 March 2020.
Bishop Okpaleke was among the 21 Cardinals-designate that Pope Francis named on 29 May 2022. He was among the 20 new Cardinals that the Holy Father created during the 27 August 2022 Consistory.
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