The Catholic Diocese of Warri, Delta State, has suspended Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe from priestly duties following his marriage to Ms. Dora Chichah in the United States.
The suspension was announced in a statement titled “Decree of Suspension” dated January 16, 2025 and shared with journalists in Warri on Sunday.
The statement signed by Rt. Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, the Bishop of Warri and Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abobo, the Chancellor/Notary, said Fr. Oghenerukevwe got married on December 29, 2024 at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, Texas.
The marriage was captured in the widely circulated social media footage and the church acted fast.
According to the church, Fr. Oghenerukevwe’s action triggered an automatic suspension, Latae Sententiae, under Canon 1394 S1. Bishop Ewherido said the priest is now officially forbidden from exercising sacred ministry. The suspension also prevents him from presenting himself as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in any way.
The statement said Fr. Oghenerukevwe had earlier requested to be dispensed from all canonical obligations on November 30, 2024 but failed to submit the required documents. He went ahead and got married without completing the process.
The diocese said all canonical implications of this suspension as contained in Canon 1333 takes immediate effect. But Fr. Oghenerukevwe has the right to appeal for the revocation or modification of the decree if he shows willingness to reform.
The church ended with a prayer, “May God grant him the grace to reflect on this and guide him on the way of reconciliation”.
This is a lesson on the need to comply with clerical obligations in the Catholic Church and a reminder of the consequences of going against the rules.