As The Search For New Nnewi Anglican Bishop Takes Centre Stage

With the news on the retirement of the Anglican Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, His Grace, The Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Izundu Nmezinwa Okpala on the front burner, there are growing concerns among communicants of the Anglican Church in Nnewi and other important stakeholders in the commercial and industrial city of Nnewi on who emerges the new Anglican Bishop of Nnewi.


Recall that Late last month, Anaedoonline.com made a report that the Anglican Bishop of Nnewi will reach the compulsory age of retirement of seventy (70) years this September, as reliably gathered, according to the constitution of the Anglican Church, the new Bishop of Nnewi Diocese is expected to be elected as a replacement to the retiring Bishop.

As learnt, there are strong permutations on who replaces Bishop Okpala as he exits in September. According to the constitution of the Anglican Church, it stipulates that the House of Bishops reserves the right to decide who becomes the bishop amongst those nominated by the house of Bishops, while the outgoing Bishop has the exclusive right to nominate a candidate, the votes casted by Bishops remains final.

Currently, there are strong indications that top clergies in Nnewi Anglican Communion are either gunning for the post or are being considered.

The top clergies who are already fingered in the contest includes, the Vicar of Diocesan Church Center (DCC), St. Andrews Anglican Church, Nkwo Nnewi, Ven. Okechukwu Emeribe, the Archdeacon of Umudim Archdeaconry and Vicar of St. Stephen Anglican Church Umudim Nnewi, Ven. Dr. Arinze Anene, the Archdeacon of Nnewichi Archdeaconry and Vicar of St. Mark’s Anglican Church Nnewichi, Ven. Ekene Iroanusi, the Archdeacon of Ebonise Central Archdeaconry, Ven. Dr. Ikechukwu Okafor and Vicar of St. Matthew Anglican Church Orafite, Rev. Canon Prince Chukwuma.

While Ven. Okechukwu Emeribe and Ven. Arinze Anene are considered favourite, keen observers are of the opinion that clergies like Ven. Ekene Iroanusi and Rev. Canon Prince Chukwuma can spring up surprises.

For Ven. Okechukwu Emeribe, he is considered to possess key administrative skills required for overseeing the affairs of a sensitive town like Nnewi while Ven. Arinze Anene is considered more spiritual.

However for some stakeholders in Nnewi, they are of the opinion that the next Bishop of Nnewi Diocese should be an indigene of Nnewi. According to the current practice, most town are now agitating that Bishops of Dioceses in their town should be an indigene of the town.

According to realities on ground, Prosper Amah (Now Bishop) was considered favourite before he was elected Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Ogbaru. Though there are current agitations that he should be translated to Nnewi Diocese , however , according to constitution of the Anglican Church, since he is yet to become a Bishop of a Diocese for Six (6) years, he can’t be translated to another Diocese.

Other Nnewi Diocese indigenous clergies on the search light are, Ven. Ndubuisi Obi who is from Nnewichi but in Niger Diocese, Ven. Brown Ofoeme who from Uruagu Nnewi but is currently in United State of America, Ven. Basil Ndupu and Ven. Okwuosa from Orafite.

Ven. Ndubuisi Obi is considered to be good in administration and also Spiritual, however, Ven. Brown Ofoeme is very much in the picture as he is considered excellent in administration and very proficient in management of human and material resources.

Clergies who may not be indigenes of Nnewi or serving in Nnewi Anglican Diocese but still . can never be overlooked includes, Ven. Joe Ajefeobi who is currently in the United State Of America, Ven. Princewill Iroba and Ven. Isreal Odita.

For many, Nnewi Diocese deserve a Bishop that is spiritual and have the administrative skills to manage churches in Nnewi. The current university project and other projects needs serious attention. The spiritual lives of Christians in Nnewi need to be taken care of and Evangelism revived. The Bishop should prayerfully choose a Bishop who will



https://www.anaedoonline.com/2019/05/01/as-the-search-for-new-nnewi-anglican-bishop-takes-centre-stage/




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