The Catholic Church in Akwa Ibom State is not happy with the resignation of a Reverend Father and has begun moves to sanction him.

The resignation of an ordained priest, Rev. Father Patrick Henry Edet, from the Catholic Church in Akwa Ibom State, has not been taken lightly as the church ordered him back or forfeit every privilege attached to the church.

Fr. Edet had announced his resignation about two weeks and also went on a private radio station in the state to announce that he was done with the church as well as announce it on some social media platforms.

A few days after that, Fr. Edet also made known his ministry, The Grace Family Global Outreach, giving a final indication that he was done with the Catholic Church.

But his action has been roundly condemned by the hierarchy of the church in the state with the Bishop of Uyo Diocese, His Grace, Bishop John Ayah, saying Fr. Edet's resignation has not been accepted as he cannot just wake up and decide to leave the church.

A journalist based in the state, Osondu Ahirika, in a letter personally written by Bishop Ayah dated August 12, 2017 wrote on the resignation of the priest to Pope Francis in Rome, with an attachment of the resignation letter, all privileges attached to priests have been withdrawn while he warned all Catholic Churches and members to dissociate themselves from him.

The letter which was read at the St. Patrick Catholic College, Afaha Inang, Uyo and other parishes in the Diocese, implies that any Catholic member who attends Fr. Edet's programs stand the risk of sanctions while awaiting an official reaction from Pope Francis.

A catechist at the St. Patrick who spoke to Ahirika on the resignation of Fr. Edet, said all the comments on social media about the matter were misplaced and misleading as people do not know the true position of the matter.

"Let those who make useless comments on social media continue, the Catholic Church is a church guided by discipline and no form of rebellion of any kind shall be entertained.

Even when Barr. Enoidem resigned his appointment as a Commissioner to contest an election as the legal adviser of PDP, he later returned to the cabinet because of course, his resignation letter was rejected by his boss, Governor Udom Emmanuel and he returned to the cabinet until others were dissolved.

So until the Pope accepts his resignation letter, he remains Rev. Fr. Patrick Edet. That is the cross he is bound to carry, after all, he took an oath to serve the church perpetual," the catechist explained.

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