Warri Catholic Bishop suspends priest for getting married

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A priest, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, has been suspended by Warri Catholic Diocese Bishop Rt. Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido for getting married.

According to the Bishop, Oghenerukevwe is no longer allowed to represent himself in any way as a priest in the Diocese of Warri.

The Bishop and Very Rev. Fr. Clement A., the diocese’s Chancellor and Notary, jointly signed a statement announcing this.

The announcement said that on December 29, 2024, Oghenerukevwe married a woman named Ms. Dora Chichah in the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA, and that the wedding video had gone viral on social media.

The church declared that Oghenerukevwe had committed a Latae Sententiae suspension in compliance with the church’s canon law by taking this action.

“Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry.

“On November 30, 2024, Rev Fr Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, who has been out of active ministry and without any official assignment in the United States of America, contacted me with a request to be released from all canonical obligations and responsibilities associated with Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic Church.

“The Diocese of Warri reached out to Fr. Oghenerukevwe, requesting the submission of documents required to initiate the process. However, on December 29, 2024, Fr. Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with Ms. Dora Chichah at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA. Footage of this marriage has been widely circulated on social media.

“By this action, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon 1394 §1, and I, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry.

“As such, he is prohibited from presenting himself as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in any capacity. All canonical implications associated with this suspension take immediate effect (cf. Can. 1333). He retains the right to petition for the revocation or amendment of this decree in accordance with Canon 1734 §1 whenever he demonstrates a willingness to reform.

“May God grant him the grace to reflect on this situation and guide him on the path of reconciliation,” the statement said.

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