Catholic Archbishop Of Owerri Regrets Killing Of Teenager In Church By Priest

By Charles Igbo

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Owerri, His Grace Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has regretted the shooting to death of a teenager in a Church by a Rev. Fr.

On the eve of the New Year,  Rev. Fr. Joseph Enyinnaya, the Priest in charge of St.  Columba Catholic Church Amaimo, Ikeduru,

while saying the Mass, drew a gun and shot a teenager to death for setting off a firework within the Church premises. One other teenager was also injured by the shots fired by the Priest.

In a condolence letter signed on behalf of the Archdiocese, Archbishop Ugorji regretted the circumstances which led to the tragic incident.

Ugorji sent heart-felt condolences on behalf of the Archdiocese to the bereaved family, prayed for the repose of the soul of the dead, and the quick recovery of the injured. He also called for a full investigation.

The letter, personally, signed by the Archbishop reads: “The Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri  highly Regrets the shooting incident that took place on the eve of the New Year at the premises of St. Columba’s Catholic Church Amaimo, leading to the death of a young man and the wounding of another.

“The Archdiocese of Owerri condoles with the bereaved family, and prays for the  repose of the dead, and the speedy recovery of the injured.

Meanwhile, the Police is investigating the incident and the circumstances surrounding it. We, therefore, call for calm at St. Columba’s Parish, Amaimo.”

For now, Parishioners are shocked that a Rev. Fr. carried a gun and  entered the Church. While some people put it down to the insecurity in the land, insisting that the Priest was only being cautious, others described his action as unwholesome and unbecoming of a Priest.

Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Enyinnaya is under Police custody.