Catholic faithful in Nnewi Diocese, Anambra State have protested the sack of Holy Ghost Priests by the bishop of diocese, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye.
The protesters marched through Saint Martin’s Catholic Church Ihiala and along the roads with chaplets, protesting what they described as draconian decision by the bishop.
Bishop Okoye sked the Holy Ghost Priests to leave the area allegedly to bring his people.
The Holy Ghost Fathers had been in charge of the St Martin’s Church for over 100 years.
During their stay, they established many churches and schools, including the popular Holy Ghost Juniorate Seminary, Ihiala and some universities in parts of the country.
It was gathered that the bishop, at a recent meeting with priests in the Diocese, announced postings during which his Diocesan priests were posted to St Martin’s, Ihiala.
The Bishop was said to have informed the Holy Ghost Fathers and members of the parish council that the Holy Ghost Fathers should leave the place immediately.
The Bishop had, however, agreed to leave the Juniorate Seminary, Ihiala and the Spiritan Farms, Okija for the Holy Ghost Fathers.
The Holy Ghost Fathers had, however, said they would not leave because it was not the Bishop that gave them the parish
Worried by the development in the area, some concerned citizens of Ihiala and other parishioners organised a protest around the church and faulted the decision of the Bishop to sack the Holy Ghost Fathers from Ihiala