Pope Francis has established the Diocese of Ekwulobia, in Anambra State in Nigeria, and named Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke, the rejected bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Mbaise, as its first Ordinary.
Announcing the appointment on Thursday last week at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, the Bishop of Awka Paulinus Ezeokafor described the news as a “pleasant surprises”.
He said the new Diocese was formed from part of the territory of Awka Diocese and would cover Akpu, Ekwuluobia and Achina Regions.
Initially the Vatican had turned down proposals to create the new diocese and instead opted for for an auxiliary bishop, but it had obviously had a change of heart. “I was surprised to receive a mail today notifying me of the creation of Ekwulobia as a diocese and the appointment of Bishop Okpaleke as first bishop… We continued to push because here in Awka Diocese we have the highest number of priests and Awka is too big for one person to handle even with an auxiliary bishop.”
“We are glad for this great news. We thanked Pope Francis for these appointments, it is a great relief,” said Bishop Ezeokafor.
Bishop Okpaleke was the Bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Ahiara, Mbaise, in Imo state.
He was appointed in 2012 by Pope Benedict to head Ahiara Diocese, but the appointment was fiercely opposed by the people of Mbaise, leading to a standoff with Pope Benedict’s successor Pope Francis.
The main reason that Bishop Okpaleke was rejected by Mbaise people was because he is not from their area.
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