by Rachel Ogbu
Edo chiefs of Bini extraction, led by Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe have called for the immediate removal of the Archbishop of Benin Catholic Diocese, Augustine Akubeze.
This is because the Archbishop has allegedly refused to conduct mass in the local dialect and his disrespect for the Benin monarch.
In a statement Igbe said: “We, the Edo people see the archbishop’s appointment as a conquest of the Benin archdiocese and we want our honour restored, we cannot allow a missionary tribal ruler priest to dilute the moral strength of the Church.”
According to reports, Igbe stated that Catholic priests of Bini origin were being overlooked, while others were imported from Eastern Nigeria.
“We find it unacceptable that the Catholic Church and Augustine Akubeze decided to treat our revered king and our people with such disdain and disrespect. In consideration of all these and the desire to create an enabling environment for honest evangelisation, we have come to the inevitable decision that Akubeze cannot continue to remain as a shepherd of the Catholic Church in Benin,” he said.
“Our people want him transferred from Benin.”
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The Punch reports:
A group, Edo Liturgical Group, had last year called on the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, to remove Akubeze, who is of Igbo origin. It also demanded use of Bini language in church officiating.
Igbe, in a prepared speech, called on the pope to urgently effect Akubeze’s transfer out from the diocese.
Nigerians are just too tribalistic. So so tribalistic we can’t even keep it away from religious dealings.
High chief Igbe,
The strenght of your opinion is rather shaddy. is it that u want. Akubueze removed because he can’t conduct Mass in Bini language or that he is not an Edo person.
Please I respect the concept of. Cultaration of the chirch which is far from what u are saying.
My high chief, please purify your intentions. The church is for all and on a mission on all lands.
I urge you to use your position to bring about unity of God’s people. I mean see more of what would bring God’s people in Benin closer rather than division.
Kindly push for the communion of God’s people.
rubbish in the highest order! if in his jurisdiction he decides not to conduct mass in the indigenous dialect, what right have they to seek for his transfer? is tht not an insult to to God, to the pope, n to the church of christ? tht he chose not to celebrate mass in benin dialect doesnt make him insolent to the monarch. is benin the only diocese where a foreign shepherd is heading? arrant nonsense
May I ask the Bini monarchs that want the Arch Bishop remove on account of use of language in the church. How do you expect other Catholic faithfuls who are making meaningful contribution to your kingdom and do not speak your language pertake in worship using a language they do not understand? Are you actually helping to envangelise or counter-evangelising? I advise, you check up with all relevant laws in Nigeria, non supports you action. I advise you to tread with caution otherwise you may bring God’s wrath instead of good on your kingdom.
I am not a catholic, just an observer.
Prince Abdulmalik