Two Catholic Priests, Four Brothers Expelled From Religious Order In Imo

A popular Catholic faith based religious congregation in Orlu, Imo State, “the Two Hearts of Love Congregation” (Ugwu Nso), has expelled six of her members comprising two priests and four professed brothers for alleged misconducts inimical to the image of the order.

The religious Order has also dissociated herself from the activities of the expelled members.

This was contained in a recent disclaimer and press release signed by Sir Bonny Ajuogu, media consultant to the Two Hearts of Love Congregation and made available to BigPen Online in Owerri, the Imo state capital on Sunday.

The statement stated that Rev. Father Monfort Okaa, the founder of the religious body and renowned clergy had stated that the expelled clerics’ recent habit, norms and practices do not conform with the rules of the order and mode of prayers.

They had been earlier expelled elsewhere in other congregations before coming remorsefully and repentantly to the congregation at Ugwu Nso for absorption and rehabilitation, the statement added.

“As a benevolent father and priest of God, Fr. Okaa forgave and accepted the young men only for the congregation to catch them in the same acts, unbecoming of ordained and professed men of God”.

The statement noted that the actions of the expelled members were inimical to the body, saying that such actions that appear like works of “agents of satan”, capable of destabilizing the Order and could cause disaffection among members and their followers will never be tolerated.

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The congregation stated that as a Catholic religious society, resorting to the press with her actions was never contemplated but the need to assuage the interest of the local ordinary in charge of Ilorin Diocese and the general public who have been supportive of the society in order not to fall prey to the antics and nefarious activities of the expelled members who could not respect their written undertaking to be of good behaviour or keep to their vows became paramount.

Meanwhile, the statement said that the congregation’s legal department has been briefed and security operatives alerted on the development. It warned the expelled members, however on the consequences of ignoring their banishment from Ugwu Nso.

The statement mentioned those who were expelled by the order to include, one Rev. Fr. Matthew Assusin, Rev. Fr. Michael Ihegbunefu, Rev. Stephen Nwaigwe, Brother John Bosco Erim (SHL) Bro. Francis Xavier Ukom (SHL), Silas Nkemdirim Nwoke and Cyrian Obinedi Ajoku.