BY MOSES PETER
A Roman Catholic Cleric, Reverend Father John Okwoeze Odey has charged religious leaders more especially the Catholic Priests to always be Ambassadors of Truth Peace and love and eschew internal bitterness, rancor and acrimony in their daily activities in tandem with the teachings of Christ Jesus.
Dr Odey disclosed this to Journalists during the public presentation and Launching of his 46th book titled "Forbidden Truth and Cloud of witness" at People's Club event Center in Abakaliki the State Capital.
"So many things went wrong in Abakaliki Diocese, it was so hard for me and other Reverend Fathers who were saying the truth, thank God that I have this opportunity to speak up through the book, from here, the ills in the society and Church in particular could be corrected". Odey explained.
Dr Odey who is a Parish Priest at Holy Trinity Parish as well the Principal Holy Trinity Secondary School all in Umuoguduakpu Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi said Church leaders must lead in accordance with the footstpeps of Jesus Christ.
"If you are a Priest or even a Secretary to the Bishop just like father Emmanuel Obunna, your primary role should be how to unite the Church of God and not to sit in your convenient place at Bishop's Court at Mile 50 and be plotting on how to make your fellow Reverend Father would be unduly punished simply because he is saying the truth". He said.
He callebd on all the Priests of Catholic Church and other religous leader to represent truth, peace and love as Catholic Church and other Holy places of worship are now the last hope of mankinds.
"This book "forbidden truth and cloud of witnesses" is just a Satire of what has transpired in Abakaliki Diocese under the leadership of Bishop Emeritus Michael Nnachi Okoro". He added.
The book reviewer, Dr Okoro Chinedum reviewed that the book x-rayed how Reverend Father Obunna ruled, reared and Crippled Abakaliki Diocese under the leadership of the immediate past Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, His lordship Michael Nnach Okoro.
"This book also narrated the ordeals of Reverend Father John Okwoeze Odey in the hands of Bishop Okoro and his Secretary Reverend Father Obunna". Chinedum reviewed.
He called on religious leaders to focus on human leadership.
A Lecturer of Ebonyi State College of Education Ikwo Dr Gregory Esheya who read the profile/Citation of Odey said he is Crusader who can ever keep quiet in the face of injustice.
Esheya added that "Odey fights injustice both in the Church, Government and society at large".
The Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Mathias Adum described Odey as an extra ordinary man with supper intelligence and highly inspirational.
"Reverend Father John Okwoeze Odey is also a Philanthropist as he has given scholarship award to indigents and less previleged in the society irrespective of your clan". Adum added.
The Chairman Central Planning Committee of the Occasion, Professor Clement Ikechukwu Okonkwo, Department of Soil and environmental Management of Ebonyi University Abakaliki said the book is a revelation of what has transpired in Abakaliki Catholic Diocese.
"We are happy that someone like father Odey has summoned courage to speak out through this write-up"
"From what this book is saying, people in the leadership positions both in the Church and Government should know that any of their actions and inactions should always be revisited". He added.
Okonkwo advised that no particular Priests would be allowed to stay in a particular Parish or Chaplaincy for a very long time.
