Having priests renounce their celibacy and resolve to get married isn’t exactly a trend you get to see on Nigerian social media every day. This explains why the marriage of a suspended catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has caused quite a stir among the Nigerian populace. After almost two decades of celibacy, the catholic priest finally dumped his clerical clothing and rectory for a finely tailored suit and a home with his new wife Ms. Dora Chicha.
While news of the wedding only started to spread like wildfire a few days ago, it has been revealed that the solemnization itself originally occurred on December 29, 2024. It was conducted at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, United States. Allegedly conducted in secret, the event finally got a reaction from the Diocese of Warri, under the Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido on January 16th.
In a reaction to the secret wedding, the Bishop and the Chancellor/Notary, Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abob signed a Statement, announcing the suspension of the Rev. Fr. Daniel Oghenerukevwe from service. Abob stated that Oghenerukevwe “contacted me with a request to be released from all canonical obligations and responsibilities associated with Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic Church.”
It was noted that the now-suspended Rev. Fr. Daniel “has been out of active ministry and without any official assignment in the United States of America,” and the church had requested “the submission of the documents to initiate the process. However, the wedding was conducted secretly about a month thereafter. Therefore, following the circulation of his wedding footage in the media, Rev. Fr. Daniel Oghenerukevwe received a ‘Latae Sententiae suspension following the provisions of Canon 1394 §1.”
For a man who has been a priest since 2008, the decision to bow out of lifelong celibacy could have been informed by different factors. However, a social media user who identified herself as the priest’s sister has attempted to explain the reasons behind his brother’s decision. According to Mary Okanatoto, ‘her brother’s decision to tie the matrimonial knot was as a result of ‘loneliness.’
Thanking the public for their encouraging words and reaction to the issue, Okanatoto noted that the newly married priest had battled mental issues without family support for a long time. Therefore, his action is considered the best decision for him, as he hasn’t enjoyed family support for some time. The bride, Dora Chicha had reportedly given a testimony following her wedding to the suspended priest.
Throughout the world, it is a known fact that catholic priests ‘may not marry.’ This is largely due to theological and canonical reasons. Given that priests belong to holy orders and take vows of celibacy, they are expected to remain unmarried. However, cases of priests breaking their vows of celibacy are not uncommon.
There have been claims that only a considerable number of serving priests remain celibate. Notwithstanding, the Diocese of Warri in its “Decree of Suspension” for Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe stated, “May God grant him the grace to reflect on this situation and guide him on the path of reconciliation.”
If you were a Catholic father, would you ever think of leaving celibacy like the suspended priest?
Abisola Ige is a seasoned content writer with experience in crafting engaging and quality articles across various niches. She is passionate about creating impactful content that informs and inspires readers.
