Anglican pastor resigns, accuses church of taking his wife

An Anglican cleric in Anambra State, Rev. Canon LumenCristi Eboh, has resigned from his position as a priest of the Anglican Communion.

Eboh, who announced his resignation at a press conference in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Monday, said he resigned over the allegation that some members of the church encouraged his wife to leave him.

The cleric added that some members of the church rented an apartment for his wife at an undisclosed place.

Eboh, who owns a charismatic congregation and prayer ministry known as God in Action Adoration Ministry, alleged further that the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, Owen Nwokolo, wanted to take his personal land where his ministry is located.

He also cited harassment, instigation, and conspiracy by the diocesan authorities of the Anglican Church as parts of the reasons for his resignation.

Eboh said that his involvement in charismatic activities was at the centre of his conflict with the Bishop, who he accused of high-handedness, intimidation, and conspiratorial manipulations, leading to his decision to resign.

The priest, who is a radio and televangelist, further accused Nwokolo of insisting that the registered trustees of the adoration ministry be altered to include him (the Bishop) and his wife, a condition he resisted on the basis that God did not reveal the Bishop to him as a vessel in the ministry.

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He added that his refusal to include the Bishop as trustee as demanded and to hand over landed property of the adoration ministry to him set him on a collision course with the bishop.

He further said the diocesan authorities used stooges and agents to try to smear his character, including spreading rumours of sexual misconduct against him.

Eboh added: “I am only a priest permitted by my communion to enter the sacred institution of marriage.

“As a married man, I had very private moments with my wife and we shared endearing words just like every young couple.

“With the crash of my marriage, I have sought to reorder my life, but those fighting me have even sent young women here in attempt to use prospects of marriage to malign my character and reputation.”

Reacting to the allegations, Nwokolo, who spoke through the Legal Officer of the Diocese, identified as Humphrey, described the accusations as false and baseless.

He added that Eboh was sacked for violating church principles.

“Eboh refused to abide by the code of conduct of the church and has been disobedient to his superiors.

“The crux of the matter is that Eboh wanted to run the affairs of his ministry independent of the Diocese,” Nwokolo stated.

The Star