By Adesina Soyooye
In an unprecedented action, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has suspended, indefinitely, the activities of the influential Knights of St John International, KSJI, in Nigeria.
The suspension is a consequence of the leadership crisis which has engulfed the Order.
The CBCN said it does not recognise the new leadership because, aside from the fact that there has been no genuine reconciliation inspite of the many interventions by His Lordship, Bishop Michael Akpochi, KSJI members did not adhere to the directives given to them by the CBCN during its conference in Enugu.
The letter of suspension dated February 16, 2022, was signed by the President of CBCN, Most Reverend Augustine Akubueze, the Catholic Archbishop of Benin, and Most Reverend Camillus Umoh, Secretary, and the Catholic Bishop of Ikot Ekpene.
The suspension statement reads:
“The CBCN appreciates the efforts of Bishop Michael Apochi in handling the crisis in the Knighthood of St. John’s International. His sacrifices and unrelenting efforts at working for peace within the order are well noted with gratitude.
“The Bishops of Nigeria are aware of the elections held and the new leadership team put in place within the KSJI.
“The Bishops, however, do not recognize these elections based on the following: The directives given at the CBCN in Enugu requesting for reconciliation between the opposing sides within the order have not been heeded; the bylaws submitted to the CBCN have not yet been approved.
“In light of the above, the Bishops call for a concerted effort toward reconciliation. This should be undertaken by members of the KSJI themselves (without episcopal supervision). Let the past be permanently laid to rest.
“All aggrieved members should be called to the reconciliation table. The CBCN should be duly informed that a true and genuine reconciliation has been achieved. It is only on these grounds that the CBCN can begin to take steps toward recognising the elections conducted.
“In the meantime, the CBCN has declared an indefinite suspension of the KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL at the national, provincial, Diocesan and parish levels. The said suspension will be in place until the Bishops are convinced that the order has actually achieved a genuine reconciliation.
“The Bishops are unequivocally calling for a spirit of humility, honesty and mutual forgiveness among and within the membership of the KSJl.”
