A suspended Catholic priest from Delta State, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, has renounced his celibacy vows and priestly calling to marry his partner, Dora Chichah, in Dallas, Texas, USA. The wedding, held on December 29, 2024, at the Stream of Joy Church, has sparked widespread reactions and prompted disciplinary action from the Catholic Diocese of Warri.
The Diocese announced Fr. Oghenerukevwe’s suspension on January 16, 2025, citing Canon Law violations. In a statement signed by the Bishop of Warri, Rt. Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, and the Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abobo, the church said the priest’s decision to marry without completing the necessary canonical procedures incurred an automatic suspension, known as “Latae Sententiae.”
The statement read: “By this action, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon 1394 S1. He is hereby suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry and prohibited from presenting himself as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in any capacity.”
The Diocese disclosed that Fr. Oghenerukevwe had submitted a request on November 30, 2024, to be released from his canonical obligations as a priest. However, he married before completing the process. “The Diocese reached out to him, asking for the required documents to begin the process, but the priest went on to marry without completing the procedure,” the church stated.
A video of the wedding circulated widely on social media, prompting further scrutiny and public discussions. The Diocese affirmed that the suspension would remain in effect, though the priest retains the right to petition for its revocation or amendment.
“We pray that God grants him the grace to reflect on this situation and guide him on the path of reconciliation,” the statement concluded.
More details about the priest’s decision to leave the ministry emerged from his family, shedding light on personal struggles that influenced his actions. Mary Okanatotor, his biological sister, revealed in a social media post that her brother had long battled mental health issues and loneliness.
“Thank you all for the comments. The said priest is my brother, and it was the best decision for him because he had a lot of issues with his mental health for a long time and couldn’t deal with the loneliness,” she wrote.
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Mary added that the family was not physically present to support him during his challenges. “We, his family members, are not with him to give him support physically. This is a trying time for our family, but he who finds a wife finds a good thing,” she said.
She also clarified that Fr. Oghenerukevwe had informed the Diocese about his decision to marry, refuting claims that the ceremony was done in secrecy. “He did not do a secret marriage as he wrote to the Diocese to inform them of his decision,” she explained.
Fr. Oghenerukevwe, who hails from a community in Ewu Kingdom, Delta State, was ordained as a priest on June 21, 2008. He served in the Catholic Diocese of Warri for over 15 years before his unexpected decision to leave the priesthood.
His actions have sparked mixed reactions within the church and beyond, with many sympathizing with his personal struggles while others criticize the breach of canonical rules.