Nnewi: Laity Council Demand For Indigenous Anglican Bishop (Photos)

Nnewi: Laity Council Demand For Indigenous Anglican Bishop (Photos)

Concerned lay faithfuls of Nnewi Anglican Diocese under the aegis of the Laity of Anglican Diocese of Nnewi have demanded for an indigenous Bishop for the Diocese.

It is no longer news that in few days time, Diocese of Nnewi, Anglican Communion, will have a new Bishop following the expected retirement of the present Bishop, His Grace, The Most Rev. Prof. Godwin. I. N Okpala, who will reach the compulsory age of retirement by September.

Last month, Anaedoonline.com uncovered plans to impose a new Bishop for the Diocese which was said to be spearheaded by two known stakeholders in the Diocese who have been supervisors of all the projects in the Diocese for the past twenty (20) years.

READ ALSO: Plans To Impose New Nnewi Anglican Bishop Exposed As Lobbying Intensifies.

Following the planned appointment on Wednesday 3rd July, there are current agitations within a large majority of the Laity of the Diocese, who are demanding that the new Bishop of the Diocese should be an indigene of Nnewi Anglican Diocese.

According to reports reaching Anaedoonline.com , a group called “THE LAITY OF DIOCESE OF NNEWI”, are making their demand on three (3) basis which was captured in the press release.

Part of the press release reads;

We the laity of Diocese of Nnewi, wish to state as a matter of urgency our position on the issue at hand;

(1) We appeal that the Bishop to be elected should be an indigene of Nnewi Diocese, both serving within or outside the Diocese of Nnewi, from Nnewi town, Oraifite, Ozubulu, Okija, Ichi, Ukpor, Azia, Ihembosi and Orsumoghu.

(2) We don’t need translation of any Bishop.

(3) The Bishop to be elected should have at least a minimum of first degree.

Attempts made to reach the Nnewi Diocesan Public Relation officer at the time of writing proved abortive.

However, when contacted, a synod delegate of the Diocese who pleaded anonymity said that he was aware of the development, as he said that the demand was in the right order.

He said, “I am aware of the group making this demand, their request is the opinion of the vast majority of people in our Diocese, we need a son from any of the towns in our Diocese to replace Archbishop Okpala, the Church of Nigeria should not allow what happened in Owerri Diocese to take place in Nnewi, Owerri Diocese got an indigenous Bishop after all the High Court embarrassment, Nnewi has produced some of the smartest, brightest, most sound, spiritual and upwardly mobile priests in the Church of Nigeria, now that we have the opportunity to produce a Bishop in our Diocese, one of our sons should be appointed”

On the steps the group have taken, he said, “They have written to the Primate and the Archbishops in Church of Nigeria”

READ ALSO: As The Search For New Nnewi Anglican Bishop Takes Centre Stage

Also speaking on the development, a member of the Nnewi Diocesan Laity Council who also pleaded anonymity for the fear of victimisation said, “Unfortunately, what is fueling this agitation is because of some of the activities of the outgoing Bishop, it is believed that he has never favoured Nnewi priests, our sons and daughters are always rejected whenever they come to apply for church work in our Diocese. Out of twenty (20) Archdeacons in Nnewi Diocese, only five (5) Archdeacons are Indigenous. Angered by this and also on the rumor of a planned imposition of a Bishop, this demand for an indigenous Bishop is becoming popular. We have very qualified, intelligent, spiritual, balanced, committed Anglican priests from our town, therefore, asking for indigenous Bishop is not too much”