Anambra Catholic Church disowns cleric who preached against Soludo
The Awka Catholic Diocese has disclaimed Rev. Fr. Cajethan Obiekezie, a priest of the diocese who delivered a sermon against the Anambra State governor, Charles Soludo during his homily, last Sunday.
It was gathered that the priest in his homily had criticized Soludo, for antagonizing the election of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
According to Tribune, the priest was also said to have urged his parishioners to vote against all candidates of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the March 11th, 2023 State Assembly election, where the governor is the party’s national leader.
Reacting, the Awka Catholic Diocese while speaking with journalists, the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Ndubuisi disowned the priest, noting he did not have the mandate of the diocese to make such utterances.
“He some utterances against the governor of the State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and other politicians within and outside the State. The Catholic diocese of Awka wishes to disassociate herself completely from those utterances. Rev. Fr. Cajethan Obiekezie has no mandate from the diocese of Awka, to do so.
“The diocese will take the necessary steps to continue to teach her priests the sanctity of the pulpit and will not hesitate to apply sanctions where necessary.
“The Church has inherent right, independent of any human authority to preach the gospel to all people, for it is the Church that Christ the Lord has entrusted the deposit of faith(can.747).
“However, this inherent right must be exercised within the laid down rules and regulations. In the context of Mass, the rules of homiletics should necessarily apply (cann.768 &1,2, 769, 772&1).
“Therefore, the platform offered by the pulpit cannot be used for personal sentiments and verbal attack, capable of destroying anybody’s good name,” the diocese stated.