A Delta priest is suspended by the Catholic Church for a covert wedding in the US. Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has been suspended from his priestly responsibilities by the Catholic Diocese of Warri, Delta State, due to his claimed marriage being sealed in the United States of America. A statement titled “Decree of Suspension,” dated Thursday, January 16, 2025, contained this information. Copies of the announcement were distributed to reporters in Warri on Sunday.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Fr. Oghenerukevwe married Ms. Dora Chichah on December 29, 2024, at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA, according to the statement, which was jointly signed by the Chancellor/Notary, Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abobo, and the Bishop of Warri, Rt. Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido. It was also learned that the church had taken action after video of the marriage allegedly went viral on social media.
“I, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, hereby formally decree that Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry, as he has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon 1394 S1 by this action,” the statement read. According to the Diocese, on November 30, 2024, Fr. Oghenerukevwe asked to be removed from all canonical duties related to Holy Orders.
The diocese claimed that although it had contacted him, “the priest married without finishing the procedure, but the diocese asked for the necessary documents to start the process.” He is therefore not allowed to represent himself in any way as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri. The declaration proposed that “all canonical implications associated with this suspension take immediate effect (cf. Can. 1333).”
The diocese added that Oghenerukevwe still has the option to request that the decree be revoked or amended, but that he must show that he is prepared to change. The statement went on to say, “May God give him the ability to think about this and lead him on the path of reconciliation.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
