The Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Benue State has suspended a priest, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, for running for governor.
Alia had won the All Progressives Congress governorship nomination form and had been cleared by the ruling party to compete in the party’s primary alongside 11 other successful candidates.
However, in a letter dated May 20, 2022, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, William Avenya, announced Alia’s suspension from public ministry “after series of admonitions” to him.
Avenya noted in the letter sighted by The PUNCH that “the Mother Church does not allow her clerics to get involved in partisan politics on their own”.
The letter partly read, “I write to communicate to you the suspension of my priest, Revd. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia from public ministry after series of admonitions to him.
“The Mother Church does not allow her clerics to get involved in partisan politics on their own.
“You are aware that my son, your brother and your priest has purchased the party forms to contest for the Office of the Governor of Benue State under the All Progressives’ Congress which is totally 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 the exercise of sacred ministry.
“This canonical suspension takes effect from the moment it is communicated to him and lasts until he ceases from contumacy.”