Aba, Nigeria — A suspended Catholic priest in Nigeria’s Aba Diocese has reignited controversy after forcefully taking over Mass at a parish where he had no authorization to preside. The incident has deepened tensions within the local church community and sparked a wave of protest from parishioners and local youth.
Rev. Fr. Francis Anyanwu, who was officially suspended by the Diocese in July 2025, appeared unannounced at St. Benedict Catholic Parish, Ngwa Ukwu, on Sunday morning and insisted on celebrating the 9:00 a.m. Mass despite an active suspension. His arrival and subsequent actions stunned both clergy and congregation, leading to an unprecedented walkout and escalating community outrage.
Fr. Anyanwu’s suspension earlier this year followed a series of controversial social media posts in which he leveled serious accusations against the Bishop of Aba, several priests within the diocese, and even a bishop based in Spain. Church authorities cited “conduct unbecoming of a priest” and “public defamation of ecclesiastical leadership” as reasons for his removal from public ministry.
However, on Sunday, in the absence of the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Felix Ezeoke, who was away on holiday, Fr. Anyanwu entered the sacristy and announced he would be the main celebrant for the Mass. This announcement caught Rev. Fr. Benard Iloka—the priest officially designated to substitute for Fr. Ezeoke—completely off guard.
“We cannot allow you to preside over this Mass,” Fr. Benard reportedly told Fr. Anyanwu, firmly referencing the standing suspension order. But Fr. Anyanwu refused to back down. Witnesses report him responding with the explosive statement: “To hell with the Bishop. This is my home parish.”
Faced with escalating tension and aiming to avoid public scandal, Fr. Benard chose to step aside. Fr. Anyanwu, accompanied by altar servers, proceeded to celebrate the Mass in full vestments—an act considered a serious breach of Canon Law, which prohibits suspended priests from exercising ministerial functions.
The congregation, which included numerous members of the Block Rosary Crusade gathered for a Thanksgiving Mass following a three-day retreat, reacted in visible dismay. Many rose from their seats and walked out of the church in protest, leaving pews largely empty for the remainder of the service.
Parishioners expressed shock and sadness over the situation. “We came here to worship, not to witness a rebellion,” said one parishioner who asked not to be named. “This isn’t just disobedience—it’s spiritual harm.”
Adding to the fallout, the youth of Amapu Ngwa, Fr. Anyanwu’s home village, issued a strongly worded statement condemning his actions. They vowed to prevent any further liturgical activities at the parish until the Diocese addresses the matter decisively.
“This isn’t just a church issue anymore,” said a youth leader. “This is about respect for the community and the Church’s authority. We won’t allow this kind of behavior to go unchallenged.”
As of Monday morning, the Aba Diocese had not issued an official statement regarding the unauthorized Mass or whether Fr. Anyanwu will face further disciplinary measures, including possible excommunication.
Canon lawyers familiar with such cases note that repeated defiance of episcopal authority—especially in a public liturgical setting—could lead to permanent dismissal from the clerical state, also known as laicization.
Observers say the incident underscores a growing challenge within the Nigerian Church, where tensions between clerical authority, social media influence, and personal ambition have become increasingly difficult to manage.