Ahiara Diocese: Bishop Echema Urges Bishop Nwobi to Bridge the Gap

By Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, CSN

“Some of us are mean, always desiring to make gain with the celebration of the sacraments. Some of us seem to be in this job for what they could get out of it. Some of us are too greedy for gain, too demanding and the people of God are groaning under the heavy load we heap on them.”

“‘St. Peter advices us shepherds not to be petty tyrants that some of us have also become but to be the shepherd and the example of the flock. We must respect our flock, love and trust them in spite of themselves. Some of us have lost the virtue of civility which makes us to lose our temper and to burst angrily at the least provocation.”

In his homily during the episcopal installation Mass at the Mater Ecclesiae Cathedral, Ahiara, on Thursday June 20, 2024, Bishop Augustine Echema of Aba Diocese urged the new Bishop of Ahiara, Most Rev. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, CMF, to prioritize unity and healing within the diocese. He emphasized the need for the new Bishop to “build up the broken bridges of Ahiara diocesan clergy and the faithful.”

In his words, “Ntam, you have the capacity and I see it as your first and major duty to once again knit this great presbyterium together. That is why you are not only episcopal, but also pontifical; in the original sense of the word, which means “bridge builder” (from the two Latin components, “pons–tis” for bridge and “facere” to make). Thank God you are not originally from this presbyterium. Therefore, you belong to all.”

While acknowledging the beauty and joy of the historic celebration, the homilist reminded the congregation of “the deep wound and the sharp divide that the episcopal crisis inflicted on the once beautiful, peaceful and united presbyterium,” stressing the need for reconciliation, which should be championed by the bishop.

“My dear Bishop Nwobi, you are being empowered today. Do not be afraid … you have the mandate, the grace of office and above all the support of the Church. Go to the five clans or communities of Ahiara, Ekwerazu, Ezinihitte, Abajah and Oke Ovoro that make up Ahiara Diocese and tell them that they are one people, unite them and bring them together.”

Moreover, Bishop Echema stated that “division among priests is a scandal and the worst thing that can destroy a presbyterium and by extension a diocese.” As such, he dedicated a significant portion of his homily to specifically addressing the priests, reminding them of their vow of obedience, their priestly responsibilities and also recounting some unfortunate practices now prevalent among some priests.

“The respect and obedience to your Bishop shows itself in your loyalty in word and deed. You support his programmes, you speak well of him, you never scandalize people by criticizing him or by mocking him, by not accepting assignments grudgingly thereby making the people of God to suffer.

“My dear priests … as we all know, we have been ordained as shepherds of the flock of God and defenders of the faith. We all accepted this office willingly without coercion. We are not to accept office in order to make a shameful profit. Some of us are mean, always desiring to make gain with the celebration of the sacraments. Some of us seem to be in this job for what they could get out of it. Some of us are too greedy for gain, too demanding and the people of God are groaning under the heavy load we heap on them.

‘St. Peter advices us shepherds not to be petty tyrants that some of us have also become but to be the shepherd and the example of the flock. We must respect our flock, love and trust them in spite of themselves. Some of us have lost the virtue of civility which makes us to lose our temper and to burst angrily at the least provocation. Never ever lose your temper and lash out at your flock. We must not act in anger and risk hurting people.”

The prelate further reminded priests of an important quality that distinguishes a good shepherd: “My dear fellow elders, the greatest characteristic of the shepherd is his selfless care and sacrificial love for the sheep. This is what our people of Ahiara Diocese need at this time from their priests more than ever before. Above all, we must realize that the office of shepherding offered to us is never earned by any merit of our own but always allotted to us by God. It is never something that we have deserved but always something given to us by the grace of God.”

Bishop Echema therefore urged all the priests to show people, “God’s forbearance, his forgiveness, his seeking love and his illimitable service,” since “God has allotted to us a task and we must do it as He Himself would do it. That is the supreme ideal of service in the Christian Church.”

Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji the former Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese from February, 2018 to June, 2024, and the Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese and Metropolitan of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, performed the installation ceremony.

Among those present at the installation Mass were, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop Felix Job, Msgr. Carlo Mario Donati who presently manages the affairs in the Nunciature since the transfer of the last Nuncio, host of other bishops, sea of priests, and female religious from various congregations, dignitaries of church and state, and a massive number of lay faithful.