US Catholics flocked to churches across the country in a celebratory mood to mark the "excitement" of the first-ever American pontiff following the election of Pope Leo.
It is no longer news that the Ahiara Catholic Diocese has remained without a bishop for more than four years. It is also no longer news that in some time past, Bishop Peter Okpalaeke was appointed and consecrated to replace the late pioneer bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Victor Chikwe.
These are not the best of times for Catholic priests in Imo State, especially those in the Archdiocese of Owerri. Investigations have since revealed that dare-devil armed hoodlums have carefully descended on Catholic rectories and mercilessly beat up the hapless and helpless priests. Most of the physically assaulted and wounded priests have been battling for survival in varying hospitals.
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