NATION

Catholic Church kicks out pastor for involving in partisan politics

The Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Benue State has removed a priest, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, from church duties after he joined the state governorship race.

Alia is contesting the governorship under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress.

In his letter to Alia, the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Gboko, William Avenya, said the church decided to suspend the former from public ministry “after series of admonitions.”

Avenya said in the letter that “the Mother Church does not allow her clerics to get involved in partisan politics on their own”.

“I write to communicate to you the suspension of my priest, Revd. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia from public ministry after series of admonitions to him.

“The Mother Church does not allow her clerics to get involved in partisan politics on their own.

“You are aware that my son, your brother and your priest has purchased the party forms to contest for the Office of the Governor of Benue State under the All Progressives’ Congress which is totally against our vocation.

“Therefore, to respond to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the Church in the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, I have suspended him from the exercise of sacred ministry.

“This canonical suspension takes effect from the moment it is communicated to him and lasts until he ceases from contumacy.”

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