Pope Francis will have to approve the exit of Archbishop AJV Obinna, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Diocese, this newspaper was informed.
The Holy Father Francis had appointed the Rev. Moses Chikwe of the clergy of Owerri, currently Director of Education of the Archdiocese of Owerri and collaborator of the parish of St. Thomas More, as auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Owerri (Nigeria), assigning him the Titular see of Flumenzer.
His appointment, according to sources, is in preparation for his eventual take over as Bishop of Owerri Catholic Diocese when Archbishop Obinna quits. This newspaper was told Fr. Moses may officially take over the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese in December. 2019
This newspaper was also informed that the mandatory age for Catholic Bishops superintending a Diocese to quit is 75 years old. Archbishop Obinna is currently 73 years old, thus have two years more to function as Archbishop.
Archbishop Obinna was born on June 26, 1946, to late Mr. & Mrs Michael Obinna of Emekuku, Owerri, Imo State. He was ordained a priest of the Catholic Church on 9th April 1972.
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