Catholic Diocese of Warri suspends priest for getting married

• The Bishop of Warri Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, has suspended Rev Fr Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe for getting married.

• The Bishop has stated that Oghenerukevwe is now prohibited from presenting himself as a priest in the Warri diocese.

• The Bishop and Very Rev. Fr. Clement. A, the diocese’s Chancellor/Notary, jointly signed a statement confirming this.

The Bishop of the Warri Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, has announced the suspension of one of his priests, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, due to his recent marriage.

The Bishop stated that Oghenerukevwe is now barred from representing himself as a priest of the Warri diocese in any official capacity.

This information was conveyed in a statement co-signed by the Bishop and Very Rev. Fr. Clement A., who holds the position of Chancellor/Notary for the diocese.

The statement indicated that Oghenerukevwe married Ms. Dora Chichah at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA, on December 29, 2024, and noted that recordings of the ceremony have been widely shared on social media platforms.

As a result of this action, the church has declared that Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions outlined in Canon law.

“Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry.

“On November 30, 2024, Rev Fr Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, who has been out of active ministry and without any official assignment in the United States of America, contacted me with a request to be released from all canonical obligations and responsibilities associated with Holy Orders within the Roman Catholic Church.

“The Diocese of Warri reached out to Fr. Oghenerukevwe, requesting the submission of documents required to initiate the process. However, on December 29, 2024, Fr. Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with Ms. Dora Chichah at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA. Footage of this marriage has been widely circulated on social media.

“By this action, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon 1394 §1, and I, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry.

“As such, he is prohibited from presenting himself as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in any capacity. All canonical implications associated with this suspension take immediate effect (cf. Can. 1333). 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.

“May God grant him the grace to reflect on this situation and guide him on the path of reconciliation,” the statement said.