Rev Fr Francis Anyanwu of Aba Diocese who was suspended by his bishop in July 2025 is in the news again . He was suspended by the Bishop for using the social media to lay multiple accusations on the Catholic Bishop of Aba and some Reverend Fathers plus a bishop in Spain.
This morning, he broke the official protocols in the Catholic church by leading in the Sunday Mass without the permission of his bishop or the parish priest.
St Benedict Catholic parish Ngwa Ukwu in Aba diocese is the home parish of the suspended Rev Fr Francis Anyanwu .
The parish priest , Rev Fr Felix Ezeoke , is on holiday and officially appointed the Rev Fr Benard Iloka to stand in for him.
While Fr Benard was preparing for the 9.00AM Mass, Rev Fr Francis came into the sacristy to announce that he will be the chief celebrant of the Mass.
The bewildered Fr Benard reminded him that he is under suspension by the Bishop so should not be a chief celebrant in a Mass .
Rev Fr Francis Anyanwu thundered back , ” To Hell with the Bishop. This is my home parish “.
To avoid scandal and altercations, Fr Benard stayed back while Fr Francis Anyanwu marched with the Mass servers to start the Mass.
The congregation was horrified and shocked to see him as the celebrant and they all rose up and walked away.
The zonal Block rosary crusade members were the most affected as they were to have their Thanksgiving in the Mass to end their three days spiritual retreat and camping at the church.
The youths of Amapu Ngwa have reacted to the incident. Rev Fr Francis Anyanwu is from that village.
The youths have gone around this morning after the incident to decree that no Mass will be said in the parish again since the congregation walked away from their own.
- Victor Anthony
