The Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese and Archbishop of the Province of the Niger, Maximum Rev. Alexander Ibezim, has been directed to continue on go away and barred from acting church tasks pending an investigation into allegations and up to date trends within the diocese.
The directive used to be introduced by means of the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Maximum Rev. Henry Ndukuba, in a letter addressed to Ibezim.
Ndukuba directed Ibezim to continue on six months’ go away with instant impact, pending the investigation.
The cleric used to be additionally barred from officiating at any actions of the Church of Nigeria, the Province of the Niger or the Anglican Diocese of Awka all the way through the length.
The Primate introduced the appointment of the Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, as Supervising Bishop of Awka Diocese and Coordinating Bishop of the Province of the Niger all the way through Ibezim’s absence.
The letter mentioned the verdict adopted fresh trends in Awka Diocese, the place allegations and occasions involving the Archbishop had raised considerations in regards to the integrity and symbol of the Church of Nigeria.
The Primate additionally referenced a gathering with Ibezim on October 9, all the way through which the file of a visitation group used to be mentioned as a part of the problems regarded as in achieving the verdict.
In keeping with the letter, the motion used to be taken beneath Phase 29(1) of Bankruptcy V of the Charter and Canons of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), 2020, which provides the Primate normal authority and oversight of the Church.
Ndukuba defined that the measure used to be supposed to permit for a good and thorough investigation into the allegations and create room for peace and reconciliation in Awka Diocese.
He clarified that the go away used to be now not a disciplinary measure however an administrative step to verify an unbiased inquiry into trends within the diocese.
The letter directed Ibezim to continue on go away for an preliminary length of six months or for every other length the Church management would possibly deem essential.
All through that length, Ezeofor will take fee of episcopal tasks and oversee each Awka Diocese and the Province of the Niger.
The Primate additional directed Ibezim to arrange for the handover of his obligations to Ezeofor at his workplace sooner than continuing on go away.
Copies of the letter had been despatched to Ezeofor, the Chancellor and Registrar of the Church of Nigeria, the Provincial Council of the Province of the Niger and the Diocesan Board of Awka Diocese.