Abia Anglican Church In Crisis

Serious crisis is rocking Christ Church Cathedral, Anglican Communion, Akwete, Ukwa Diocese in Ukwa East Council of Abia State, with the parishioners demanding the removal of the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Kelechi Eze for alleged wrongdoings.

The church members are accusing Bishop Eze of among other things, marrying two wives, contrary to the canonical oath of the Church for clergies and even members of the church. Specifically, they alleged that the Bishop in addition to his legal wife known to them, is also married to one Miss Gladys Chinazaekpere Nwosu. Other allegations border on mal-administration of the church, as well as not taking proper care of the priests working under him in the church.

The matter has degenerated to the extent that some members of the church petitioned the head of Anglican Church in Nigeria, the Primate, The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, against Bishop Eze. The members have virtually barred the Bishop from conducting church service or any programme in the church and want him to vacate his official residence in Akwete.

Also, the laity of Ukwa Diocese organized a protest against the Bishop, demanding his removal from the diocese, saying he was destroying the church.

Besides the petition, a 3-man delegation of the Church led by an elder and the 18th President General of Joint Council of Knights, Anglican Communion, Chief Okere Eruba went to the Primate to show the seriousness of the crisis. But Bishop Eze has denied all the allegations, describing them as “trash, borne out of tribalism and selfish desires.”

Denying the allegations, Bishop Eze in a text message, said: “This is a matter that the head of our church, the Primate is handling and one that could lead to serious litigation. “Everything they’re talking is trash, borne out of tribalism and selfish desires and masterminded by the Archbishop. How can a bishop marry two wives?”