Nigeria’s bishops said they will investigate a controversy surrounding a new cathedral in Nnewi after a prominent lay Catholic protested at its dedication.
A member of the Knights of St John International renounced the order and the Church during the service at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption on 14 January, saying the hierarchy had failed to acknowledge the contribution of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to its construction.
Ubah, a powerful businessman who represented Anambra South Senatorial District for President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressive Congress, reportedly contributed around 85 per cent of the costs for the building in the quiet city on south-east Nigeria.
However, Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye of Nnewi halted the senator’s contributions to the project after he succeeded Bishop Hilary Paul Odili Okeke in November 2021.
In July 2024 Ubah died in hospital in London, aged 51, while work on the cathedral continued with other funding.
During the cathedral’s dedication service earlier this month, where the 93-year-old Cardinal Francis Arinze presided, attendees said any reference to Ubah or his family was conspicuously absent from the programme.
Bishop Okoye also acknowledged individuals and groups who supported the completion of the cathedral, but Ubah’s friends and supporters felt he did not receive adequate mention.
Sir James Louis Okoye, a member of the Knights of St John International, reportedly expressed particular displeasure at what he felt was neglect of Ubah’s contributions.
According to witnesses, he became visibly upset during the programme, saying the late senator’s contributions were not recognised in the manner he expected.
Okoye, no relation of the bishop, then left the cathedral, removing the ceremonial hat and shoes he wore as a member of the order, and renounced his membership of the Catholic Church and the Christian faith.
He said Ubah played a significant role in the early stages of the cathedral’s construction and deserved a more prominent form of recognition, such as a moment of silence or formal commemoration.
The protest drew widespread attention in the congregation and on social media. The Knights of St John immediately apologised to the Church and expelled Okoye from the order.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria announced it would investigate the dispute.
Fr Martins Onwudiwe, the director of communications for the Diocese of Nnewi, insisted it had acknowledged the contributions of the late senator during the programme.
He said Bishop Okoye recognised and appreciated Ubah, but observed that participants might have different expectations about the form this should take.
He emphasised that the Church would prioritise reconciliation and pastoral care for those who express grievances: “The Church, as a mother, is concerned about every member. When issues arise, our responsibility is dialogue, reconciliation and spiritual care.”