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Catholic Priest suspended for joining Benue state governorship race

Published

1 month ago

21/05/2022

The Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Benue State has suspended Reverend Father, Hycainth Alia, for expressing curiosity within the governorship contest of the state.

The Catholic priest is among the many 12 governorship aspirants who bought expression of curiosity and nomination types of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take part within the celebration’s main election.

In response, the Priest was suspended as a result of his choice to affix the Governorship race goes in opposition to the Church’s rule on partisan politics.

In a viral suspension letter addressed to all monks, spiritual and laity of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, dated Might 20, 2022 and signed by the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Bishop William Avenya, disclosed that the affected priest was earlier warned according to the church’s rule on partisan politics.

The letter learn,

“I write to speak to you the suspension of my priest, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Iornem Alia from public ministry after collection of admonitions to him.

The mom church doesn’t permit her clerics to become involved in partisan politics on their very own Ex can. 285, 3 CIC. You’re conscious that my son, your brother and your priest has bought the celebration’s type to contest for the workplace of the governor of Benue State below the All Progressives Congress which is often in opposition to our vocation.

Subsequently, to answer the non secular and pastoral wants of the church within the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, I’ve suspended him from train of sacred ministry. This canonical suspension takes impact from the second it’s communicated to him and final till he ceases from contumacy.”

Reacting to the suspension, Head of Media and Publicity, Alia 2023 Gubernatorial Group, Kula Tersoo, stated it was a traditional apply of the church.

He famous that as said clearly within the letter of suspension, Alia was solely suspended from celebrating public Eucharistic plenty, however that he stays a priest of the Catholic Church without end, including that when his tenure ends in public civil service he shall resume his public plenty and ministry.