October 12, 2026 Independent · Authoritative · Nigerian
Fridayposts

Independent insight on Politics, Governance, Leadership, Economy and Development for Nigerians everywhere.

Get The Friday Brief
Latest
Trending
Top 10 Nigerian Industries Most Ready for Major Investment Before 2030 Nigeria Has 200+ Million People. Why Was That Not Enough to Keep Uber? 13 Rookies, One Opportunity: Could the Russia Friendly Reveal Nigeria’s Next Super Eagles? Those Bank, Loan and Marketing Calls You Never Asked For: What Are Your Rights in Nigeria? Can a Farmer With a Smartphone Replace an Agricultural Extension Officer? BBNaija Has a New Winner. But Who Really Makes the Money From Big Brother Naija?
Home / Faith
Faith

Pope warns Nigerian Priests Against Disrespect For Bishop

By Obayomi Abiola Benjamin··1 min read·265 views
Pope warns Nigerian Priests Against Disrespect For Bishop
FridayPosts editorial image · Pope warns Nigerian Priests Against Disrespect For Bishop
Pope Francis has given Nigerian priests 30 days to pledge obedience to him and accept a bishop appointed for their diocese - or risk being suspended, the Associated Press news agency reports. The pontiff met on 8 June a delegation from the Ahiara diocese in south-eastern Nigeria, where priests have been refusing to accept the 2012 appointment by then pontiff, Benedict XVI, of the local bishop, Peter Okpaleke. Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano reported yesterday that Pope Francis was acting "for the good of the people of God" by threatening to suspend the priests from the ministry if they did not pledge in a letter, by July 9, "total obedience" and accept Bishop Okpaleke's appointment. The Vatican issued only a short statement on the 8 June meeting, describing the situation in the diocese as “unacceptable”, the Catholic Herald reported. The protests were motivated by the fact that Bishop Okpaleke is not a local priest, it added. The newspaper quoted the Pope as saying that every priest of the diocese must write a letter to him by 9 July asking for forgiveness and "must clearly manifest total obedience to the Pope” - or else he would be suspended and would lose his office. Pope Francis said he was taking a tough line because "the people of God are scandalised. Jesus reminds us that whoever causes scandal must suffer the consequences”, the Catholic Herald quoted the Pope as saying. BBC Africa
Was this worth your time?
#FridayPosts#nigeria#Peter Okpaleke#Pope Francis
About the author

Obayomi Abiola Benjamin

FridayPosts publishes independent reporting, expert interpretation and practical ideas for decision-makers in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

Reader conversation

0 approved comments

Your email address is used for moderation and is not displayed publicly. Comments are reviewed before publication.

No approved comments yet. Add the first thoughtful response.

More on this story

More Faith →

Latest from FridayPosts

See latest →

What readers are choosing

Current momentum

Make FridayPosts part of your information advantage.

Get independent reporting, expert interpretation and practical ideas for Nigeria and Nigerians everywhere.

Get The Friday Brief