The Catholic Church Punishes the Priest for the Covert Wedding.

Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has been suspended by the Catholic Diocese of Warri, located in Delta State, due to allegations of conducting a secret wedding in the United States. This information was disclosed in a statement titled ‘Decree of Suspension’, dated Thursday, January 16, 2025. The statement, co-signed by the Bishop of Warri, Rt. Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, and the Chancellor/Notary, Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abobo, asserted that “Fr. Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with Ms. Dora Chichah on December 29, 2024, at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA.” The Diocese indicated that Fr. Oghenerukevwe had submitted a request on November 30, 2024, to be released from all canonical obligations related to Holy Orders. However, the Diocese noted that they had contacted him, “requesting the necessary documents to initiate the process, but the priest proceeded to marry without fulfilling the required procedures. “Consequently, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with Canon 1394 S1, and I, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, hereby officially declare that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry.” “As a result, he is forbidden from presenting himself as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in any capacity. All canonical consequences associated with this suspension will take effect immediately (cf. Can. 1333),” the statement partially read.