Rev. Father Okunerere Says He’s Leaving Catholic Church, Gives Reasons

Reverend Father Paul Obayi, commonly known as Fr. Okunerere, a well-known Catholic priest of Nsukka Diocese, has declared his intention to leave the Catholic Church. This announcement comes amidst allegations of oppression and disputes with his local diocese.

Fr. Okunerere, who is renowned for founding the Okunerere Adoration Ministry in Nsukka, made a series of accusations against his Bishop, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah. He claimed that the Bishop, along with fellow priests, was attempting to forcefully seize the land designated for his ministry.

This situation draws parallels to the clash between Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, and the Enugu Catholic Diocese, which resulted in a temporary ban on his ministry and its subsequent transformation into a chaplaincy.

Fr. Okunerere took to Facebook to share a 30-minute video in which he expressed his frustration, highlighting his long-standing dedication to the church and asserting that he felt compelled to leave due to the alleged oppression.

“The church is my vineyard; I love the church, I love my Nsukka (Catholic) church, I love the bishop, I love the priests, I love them, but they are oppressing me,” he stated.

Fr. Okunerere recounted a series of incidents, including the removal of deities from villages, funding the installation of a transformer in the cathedral of Nsukka Diocese, and various construction projects for the church. He also claimed that his fellow priests had attempted to take his land forcefully.

These disputes have taken a significant toll on Fr. Okunerere’s relationship with the church. He revealed that priests were avoiding attending his adoration sessions, fearing unfavorable posting decisions as a consequence. Additionally, his invitations to the Bishop to visit his ministry went unanswered.

In a final statement, Fr. Okunerere declared his intention to depart from the Catholic Church, expressing his profound disappointment with the current situation. This decision marks a significant departure from a long and dedicated service to the church.