Youths of Ahiara Catholic Diocese of Mbaise, Imo State, yesterday staged a solidarity match to support the resignation of Bishop Peter Okpalaeke and appointment of a new administrator.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some people rejected Bishop Okpalaeke’s appointment in 2012 on grounds that he was a non-indigene.
The community, which is predominantly Catholics, claimed that it has produced greater number of priests and so it deserved a bishop from the town.
While the anti-Okpalaeke jubilated and demonstrated on the streets, the pro-Bishop supporters wore gloomy faces.
The Parish Council Chairman of St. Peter Catholic Church, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Mr. Eugene Eze, said Bishop Okpalaeke’s resignation had vindicated those opposed to his appointment.
Eze, who hailed the bishop’s decision, said though Pope Francis partially resolved the matter, there were still internal wranglings.
He said: “Bishop Peter Okpalaeke has faced serious opposition in the last six years over his appointment as the catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese. But his continued stay as the bishop had disintegrated Catholic faithful in the area.”
Also, Dr. Kenneth Nnanyere of Ahiara Diocese said Bishop Okpalaeke’s resignation would breed more rancour in the system than solve it.
According to him, there were members who believed in the estranged bishop and such would feel sidelined and fight back.