Holy See has affirmed that the Spiritan Priests that were working at St Martin of Tours Parish, Ihiala in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State should be posted out of the Parish for a new Congregation.
This is coming after appeals to the Vatican by the Spiritan Congregation against the decision of the Diocesan Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, the Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye.
The Redemptionist Congregation as it is described in a letter is assigned to pastor at the Parish of St. Martin of Tours, Ihiala from August 15, 2024.
In the letter from Ihiala Indigenous Priests and Religious Association with Rev Fr Desmond Ebulue as President, the association officially informed the President-General, Ihiala Progressive Union, Okey Ohagba Esq of the development.
The letter reads: “I am writing to inform you officially that Rome has intervened with regard to the issue at St Martin Catholic Church, Ihiala.
“You will recall that for the past two years, no Masses and other sacraments have been celebrated in the Church.
“Consequently, a new congregation (The Redemptionists) has been assigned to by the Dicastery of Evangelization in Rome, to provisionally take over the ordinary and extraordinary pastoral care of St Martin of Tours Parish, Ihiala.
“The purpose of notification is to ensure that your office is aware as you work round the clock to bring peace and public safety back to Ihiala Town, “the letter reads in part.
The installation was expected to take place on August 15, 2024 as indicated in the letter.
