By The Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Benue State has suspensed one of its priests, Hycainth Alia for joining the 2023 governorship race in the state.
Alia was said to have recently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and also purchased the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms pegged at N50m.
His suspension was contained in a viral letter dated May 20, 22 and signed by the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Gboko, Bishop William Avenya, which stated that the decision followed a “series of admonitions to him” which bars all clerics from partisan politics.
“I write to communicate to you the suspension of my priest, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Iornem Alia from public ministry after series of admonitions to him,” the letter read in part.
“The mother church does not allow her clerics to get involved in partisan politics on their own Ex can. 285, 3 CIC. You’re aware that my son, your brother and your priest has purchased the party’s form to contest for the office of the governor of Benue State under the All Progressives Congress which is usually against our vocation.
“Therefore, to respond to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the church in the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, I have suspended him from exercise of sacred ministry. This canonical suspension takes effect from the moment it is communicated to him and last until he ceases from contumacy.”
