Catholics in Owerri, the capital of Imo State have been thrown into an intense rage over plans by Governor Rochas Okorocha, to rename a road linked to their church for President Muhamadu Buhari.
As part of measures to resist the plot, the Catholic Church, Monday, called out its members across the country to resist the renaming of Maria Assumpta Avenue, which was originally named after the church’s major cathedral, for Mr. Buhari.
Already, the Arch Bishop of Owerri, Anthony Obinna, on Sunday, convened a high-powered meeting where major decisions were taken on how to stall the renaming the road.
In a letter to members of the church, a Trustee of the Knight of St. John International, Abuja Commandery, Steve Nwokeocha, described the issue as a “matter of urgent national and particularly Catholic concern.”
Mr. Nwokeocha said he has been mandated to alert members of the church across the country about Mr. Okorocha’s highly provocative plan.
“The decision was that all Catholics in Nigeria should be alerted. An imposing brick-board has already been erected directly facing the entrance of the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri to herald this new Muhammadu Buhari Road,” he wrote.
Maria Assumpta Avenue is the expressway in front of an imposing Maria Assumpta Cathedral, one of the landmark buildings in Imo aptly known as the Eastern Heartland.
The cathedral is located at the intersection where the Port Harcourt-Owerri and Onitsha-Owerri highways empty into the Owerri City centre and therefore, a very strategic point in the capital city.
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Those who know said the cathedral is not only the greatest man-made structure in the old and modern Owerri but also has a monumental historical significance to Owerri people and the state.
Many have also come to see the edifice as having a world heritage status, because of its age, architectural masterpiece and history.
“To now locate such an edifice on a road that bears the name of an Islamic leader has been interpreted by the Church as a desecration of the Catholic faith and by extension, Christianity and what it holds dear the most,” Mr. Nwokeocha said.
“Ironically, the roundabout at the entrance of the cathedral where the new name of a road was erected has a giant monument of the Holy Family.
“Maria Assumpta Cathedral is not just for the Owerri Archdiocese but it is also the headquarters of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province which extends to Abia State.
“Catholics in Owerri, especially parishioners of the cathedral, had a sad Sunday and boiling is the right word to describe the feeling of the church right now.
“His Grace the Archbishop of Owerri in his homily described the development as an insult to the Catholic Church, a slap on the face of the Holy Family, and disrespect to Holy Mother Mary whose name is on the Cathedral.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Catholic Church is not opposed to naming ALL the roads in Owerri after His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, if the will make the Imo State Governor happy and help his political aspirations.
“But it can never be the Maria Assumpta Avenue. Therefore, the reaction of the Church has nothing to do with politics or even Islam but simply the preservation of its own Faith and heritage,” the church said.
As part of mobilisation, members of the church and interested members of the public have been invited to join in stopping the government’s plan by seeking accurate information and working in accordance with the church’s dictate.
