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Pope Francis exercises a strong hand over rebellious priests in Nigeria

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Priests given 30 days to submit or be dismissed.

Pope Francis has given priests of a rebellious diocese in Nigeria 30 days to accept their newly appointed bishop or face removal. Such moves by the Church are rare, but the Pope has the authority to enforce his will.

Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.

Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (CALIFORNIA NETWORK)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
6/12/2017 (6 years ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Pope Francis, Nigeria, diocese, ahiara

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- The Catholic Church is held in high esteem around the world. Pope Francis is seen by many to be gentle, kind and forgiving. The Church always promotes a message of love and acceptance. However, there is a tougher side to the Church, one that is rarely seen.

The Roman Catholic Church is the last surviving institution of the ancient Roman Empire. Its power has waxed and waned though the centuries. Some popes have ordered armies into the field, while others simply command by respect. But one thing must be remembered, the Catholic Church is an absolute monarchy, and the Pope is the leader. In civil, internal affairs, the Pope is the final authority.


And so, the priests of the Nigerian Diocese of Ahiara are learning this lesson. Pope Francis has given them just 30 days to submit an apology and to affirm their allegiance to Rome, or they will be sacked.

The problem for these priests is their new bishop. Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke as the head of their diocese in 2013. However, Bishop Okpaleke was not a local priest. As a result, the priests of the diocese have staged a protest and Okpaleke has not been able to administrate the diocese placed under his care.

Pope Francis has responded to this protest with a firm measure. He has ordered the priests of the diocese to submit letters of apology and loyalty. Pope Francis warned, "I think that, in this case, we are not dealing with tribalism, but with an attempted taking of the vineyard of the Lord." He referred to the parable of the murderous tenants, who killed their landlord's son in an attempt to steal the rented land. Of course, the landlord will come and kill the murderous tenants.

Pope Francis considered suspending the diocese, but this would impact the parishioners themselves, so he refrained from the action.

Historically, popes have used these actions to impose their will on rebellious clergy or leaders. During the Protestant Reformation in England, the Pope placed the nation under interdict, which forbids the sacraments. Such measures are terrifying to people who require the sacraments, particularly when confronted with death, or when seeking marriage. They compel the people to pressure their leaders to accept the will of the Church. Historically, the practice has been used with some success.

Instead of taking that extreme measure, Pope Francis merely requires an apology from the priests. Most are expected to comply. It is one thing to oppose the election of a bishop on political grounds, and another thing to quit one's career over the matter.

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Insiders have made it clear that Pope Francis is a hard man, who expects much of his subordinates. He is popular with the public who view him kindly, but privately he does not tolerate dissent or suffer fools lightly. People should not be fooled by the Pope's calm exterior and carefully worded homilies. He can be a tough man when needed.

The priests have 30 days to submit their letters.



The full text of Pope Francis' address can be read below:

I cordially greet the delegation and thank you for coming from Nigeria in a spirit of pilgrimage.

For me, this meeting is a consolation because I am deeply saddened by the events of the Church in Ahiara.

In fact, the Church (and excuse the wording) is like a widow for having prevented the Bishop from coming to the Diocese. Many times I have thought about the parable of the murderous tenants, of which the Gospel speaks (cf. Mt 21:33-44), that want to grasp the inheritance. In this current situation the Diocese of Ahiara is without the bridegroom, has lost her fertility and cannot bear fruit. Whoever was opposed to Bishop Okpaleke taking possession of the Diocese wants to destroy the Church. This is forbidden; perhaps he does not realize it, but the Church is suffering as well as the People of God within her. The Pope cannot be indifferent.

I know very well the events that have been dragging on for years and I am thankful for the attitude of great patience of the Bishop, indeed the holy patience demonstrated by him. I listened and reflected much, even about the possibility of suppressing the Diocese, but then I thought that the Church is a mother and cannot abandon her many children. I feel great sorrow for those priests who are being manipulated even from abroad and from outside the Diocese.

I think that, in this case, we are not dealing with tribalism, but with an attempted taking of the vineyard of the Lord. The Church is a mother and whoever offends her commits a mortal sin, it's very serious. However, I decided not to suppress the Diocese. Instead, I wish to give some indications that are to be communicated to all: first of all it must be said that the Pope is deeply saddened. Therefore, I ask that every priest or ecclesiastic incardinated in the Diocese of Ahiara, whether he resides there or works elsewhere, even abroad, write a letter addressed to me in which he asks for forgiveness; all must write individually and personally. We all must share this common sorrow. In the letter:

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1.      one must clearly manifest total obedience to the Pope, and

2.      whoever writes must be willing to accept the Bishop whom the Pope sends and has appointed.

3.      The letter must be sent within 30 days, from today to July 9th, 2017. Whoever does not do this will be ipso facto suspended a divinis and will lose his current office.

This seems very hard, but why must the Pope do this? Because the people of God are scandalized. Jesus reminds us that whoever causes scandal must suffer the consequences. Maybe someone has been manipulated without having full awareness of the wound inflicted upon the ecclesial communion.

To you brothers and sisters, I would like to express my sincere thanks for your presence; and also to Cardinal Onaiyekan for his patience and to Bishop Okpaleke, whose patience and humility I admire. Thank you all.

---


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