Apostolic administrator takes over Ahiara catholic diocese

Bishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, at the weekend, took over as the apostolic administrator of Ahiara Catholic Diocese in Mbaise, Imo State.

This is coming six years after disagreements over an acceptable bishop to lead the diocese. Ugorji is also to head the Umuahia diocese of the church.

As part of his mandate, the administrator has appointed Rev. Fr. Ethelbert Uwadika as the Vicar General of the diocese.

The laity and clergy of the diocese had opposed the Pope’s earlier choice of Peter Okpaleke as the bishop of the area, and insisted on having a priest who has divine affinity with them.

The crisis started after the death of the former Bishop of the diocese, Victor Adibe Chikwe.

Okpaleke had on February 20 resigned as the bishop of the area to pave a way for Ugorji’s appointment.

The new administrator, in his sermon, canvassed peace and unity and expressed the hope of a substantive bishop being appointed.

He said: “We are all one now and we have come to foster that spirit of oneness and brotherhood.”

He also expressed gratitude to the Vatican for finally restoring peace to the diocese.

Ugorji implored the people to restore the glory of the diocese, with purity of faith, in line with the spirit of the teachings of Christ.”

He promised to administer the necessary sacrament, which had eluded the area in the last six years.