Controversy has erupted within Nigeria’s Catholic community following the formal suspension of Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe by the Warri Diocese after the priest participated in a marriage ceremony at an American evangelical church. The unprecedented move has sent shockwaves through Catholic circles in Nigeria’s Delta State and beyond.
The Bishop of Warri Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, issued an official decree suspending Fr. Oghenerukevwe from all sacred ministry after the priest married Ms. Dora Chichah at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, Texas on December 29, 2024. According to the diocese, videos of the wedding ceremony have circulated widely across social media platforms, bringing the matter to public attention.
This extraordinary situation began unfolding when Fr. Oghenerukevwe, who had been living in the United States without an official assignment from his home diocese, contacted Bishop Ewherido on November 30, 2024. During this communication, the priest reportedly requested release from his canonical obligations and responsibilities associated with Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic Church.
The Diocese of Warri responded by requesting necessary documentation to begin the formal laicization process – the procedure through which priests can be released from their clerical vows and return to lay status. However, before completing this process, Fr. Oghenerukevwe proceeded with his marriage ceremony in Dallas less than a month after initiating contact with the diocese.
“By this action, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon 1394 §1,” stated the official decree, which was jointly signed by Bishop Ewherido and Very Rev. Fr. Clement A., the diocese’s Chancellor/Notary.
The Latin term “Latae Sententiae” refers to an automatic penalty incurred at the moment of committing an offense under canon law, without requiring a formal declaration from church authorities. In this particular case, Canon 1394 §1 specifically addresses clerics who attempt marriage, even if only civilly.
Under the terms of the suspension, Fr. Oghenerukevwe is prohibited from presenting himself as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in any capacity. All canonical implications associated with this suspension took immediate effect upon issuance of the decree, though the diocese noted that he “retains the right to petition for the revocation or amendment of this decree in accordance with Canon 1734 §1 whenever he demonstrates a willingness to reform.”
This case highlights the ongoing tension between the Catholic Church’s discipline of clerical celibacy and the personal choices made by some priests. The Catholic Church maintains a strict requirement of celibacy for priests in the Latin Rite, which encompasses most Catholic churches worldwide, including those in Nigeria. This practice dates back centuries and is considered a discipline rather than an unchangeable doctrine of the faith.
The situation is particularly notable as Fr. Oghenerukevwe chose to marry not in a civil ceremony but at another Christian denomination’s church – Streams of Joy, an evangelical ministry with growing influence among young Nigerians and with branches in several countries including the United States.
Religious scholars note that while priests leaving ministry to marry is not uncommon, the public nature of this case and the involvement of another prominent church makes it especially sensitive. Dr. Elizabeth Mbonu, a theologian at the University of Nigeria, explains: “The proper procedure would have been to complete the laicization process before entering marriage. By proceeding with a wedding before receiving dispensation from his vows, the priest created a canonical crisis that left the diocese with little choice but to issue a formal suspension.
For the Catholic faithful in Warri Diocese, the news has generated mixed reactions. Some express disappointment at the priest’s actions, while others show compassion for what they perceive as a difficult personal journey.
“This is a human situation that requires both adherence to church law and pastoral sensitivity,” commented Fr. James Okosun, a Catholic priest and canon lawyer not affiliated with the Warri Diocese. The Bishop’s decree follows the required canonical process while also leaving the door open for potential reconciliation.
The final line of the official statement reflects this balanced approach: “May God grant him the grace to reflect on this situation and guide him on the path of reconciliation.
The Catholic Church’s practice of clerical celibacy has faced increased scrutiny in recent decades, with some arguing for optional celibacy as a way to address priest shortages in many parts of the world. Pope Francis has maintained the discipline for the Latin Rite while allowing exceptions in specific circumstances, such as married Anglican priests who convert to Catholicism.
In Nigeria, where Catholicism continues to grow rapidly despite a nationwide shortage of priests, such incidents raise broader questions about clerical formation and support systems for priests experiencing vocational challenges. The Nigerian Catholic Bishops’ Conference has previously emphasized the importance of ongoing spiritual direction and community support for clergy.
The Diocese of Warri, which encompasses much of Nigeria’s Delta State, has not provided additional details regarding Fr. Oghenerukevwe’s status prior to the marriage or the circumstances surrounding his departure from active ministry in Nigeria. Questions remain about how long he had been in the United States and what pastoral or professional activities he had been engaged in before his suspension.
As the situation continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the complex intersection between personal discernment, institutional requirements, and public ministry that characterizes the lives of Catholic clergy. For Fr. Oghenerukevwe, his new marital status represents a definitive break with his priestly ministry under current Catholic discipline, unless he pursues the reconciliation pathway referenced in the Bishop’s decree.
The diocese has not indicated whether Ms. Chichah, now Mrs. Oghenerukevwe, was previously Catholic or what connections the couple might have had with the Streams of Joy Church prior to selecting it as their wedding venue.
