Suspended Catholic Priest Forces His Way Into Mass At Aba Diocese, Congregation Walks Out In Protest
Suspended Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Francis Anyanwu shocked worshippers at St. Benedict Parish, Aba Diocese, after defying his bishop to celebrate Mass. The congregation walked out in protest, and community youths declared no further Masses would hold in the parish.
The Catholic Diocese of Aba has been thrown into controversy following the actions of a suspended priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Anyanwu, who defied ecclesiastical authority by forcing his way into celebrating Mass at his home parish, St. Benedict Catholic Church, Ngwa Ukwu, on Sunday.
Rev. Fr. Anyanwu was suspended in July 2025 by the Bishop of Aba Diocese after repeatedly using social media to accuse the diocesan bishop, other priests, and even a bishop in Spain of misconduct.On Sunday morning, while the parish’s acting priest, Rev. Fr. Benard Iloka, was preparing to celebrate the 9:00 AM Mass in the absence of the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Felix Ezeoke, the suspended Fr. Anyanwu stormed the sacristy. He declared that he would be the chief celebrant of the Mass.
Fr. Iloka reportedly reminded him that he was under suspension and lacked the authority to preside over Mass. In response, Rev. Fr. Anyanwu shouted, “To hell with the Bishop. This is my home parish.”
He then marched out with Mass servers and began the liturgy.
The congregation, visibly shocked, rose to their feet and walked out of the church in protest. Witnesses say the most affected were members of the zonal Block Rosary Crusade, who had scheduled their thanksgiving during the Mass to conclude a three-day retreat and camping program.
The incident sparked outrage in Amapu Ngwa, the home village of Rev. Fr. Anyanwu. Youths of the community quickly mobilized and declared that no further Masses would be celebrated in the parish, given the scandal caused by the suspended priest’s actions.
Fr. Anyanwu’s suspension in July followed weeks of online accusations targeting the Bishop of Aba and fellow priests. The diocese had described his conduct as unbecoming of a Catholic priest, insisting that disciplinary measures were necessary to preserve the unity and sanctity of the church.
Sunday’s dramatic incident has deepened tensions within the parish, leaving many faithful worried about the potential ripple effects on the wider Catholic community in Aba Diocese.
