In a statement issued Thursday, September 26, Fr. Augustine Ukawuba said the entity that is based in Oboama Enyiogugu in Aboh-Mbais of Imo State is just one among numerous religious groups that have infiltrated the Catholic Diocese.
Fr. Ukawuba said he had learned of the expulsion of Fr. Mario from Oboama Enyiogugu in Aboh-Mbais and the vandalization of his church and properties.
“We wish to inform all that Fr. Mario is not a Priest of the Catholic Church neither does he have any connection with the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara nor any Religious Congregation working in Ahiara Diocese,” the Priest says.
He says that the Old Catholic Apostolic Church is luring unsuspecting Catholics who are made to believe that the group is similar to the Roman Catholic Church.
“My attention has been drawn to the presence of some members of a religious group under the name of Old Catholic Apostolic Church (alias OCAC)' that has infiltrated and practically invaded some of our Parishes trying to lure unsuspecting Catholics into their Church under the false pretense that their Church is the same as Roman Catholic Church under the headship of the Pope,” he says.
The Chancellor expresses concern that some Parishes in the Diocese of Ahiara are already experiencing the activities of the Old Catholic Apostolic Church.
Fr. Ukawuba explains that the Old Catholic Apostolic Church is a schismatic group that separated themselves from the Catholic Church, and was excommunicated.
The ordinations and sacraments of the religious group are not recognized by the Catholic Church as valid, he says, adding that those who purport to be ordained ministers in the group are not true Catholic Priests.
Fr. Ukawuba warns that Catholics who “deliberately and knowingly” identifies, promotes, participates, or has communion with the excommunicated group “stands in danger of ex-communication with its effects.”
He says, “Such people are banned from receiving the Sacraments and may not enjoy any right or privilege proper for a Catholic.”
“May we continue to pray for the Church and her mission in Ahiara Diocese as we commend all to the Maternal intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary,” he implores.