The Catholic community in Igbo – Ukwu village, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State – has been thrown into mourning again after losing another parish priest to the cold hands of death.
The deceased identified as Reverend Father Christopher Azolibe, was the Catholic parish priest of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, the foremost Catholic community in Igbo-ukwu town.
Until his death Fr Azolibe also served as the Dean of the Igbo-ukwu Catholic Deanary and also Chairman of ICCPC.
Mixed feelings have continued to rise over the death of the priest as it was revealed that this is the third catholic priest to die this year 2018 after the Christian community in the town carried out a crusade that led to burning of shrines on December 29, 2017. Their deaths occurred within a space of six months.
According to reports, the traditionalists in Igboukwu threatened a showdown with the Catholic Church earlier this year over the destruction of about 15 shrines and ancient artifacts in the community.
They specifically fingered Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (Ebube Muonso), the spiritual director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke for orchestrating the destruction during his December 29, 2017 crusade at Central Primary School Field, Igboukwu.
The traditionalists had received information that the priest was coming for community “cleansing” and had written to the Parish Priest of the host church, urging the parishioners to steer clear of their religious sites.