Secret Wedding: Social Media Implicates Catholic Church Priest

A secret wedding between a Catholic Church Priest and his heartthrob in faraway United States of America has been blown open by social media, leading to the suspension of the priest.

Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, Delta State had allegedly consummated his relationship with Ms. Dora Chichah on December 29, 2024, at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA.

The secret wedding was however made public when footages of the conju gation began to appear on social media.

That drew the attention of the parish and it immediately suspended Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe from priestly duties.

These and more were contained in a statement titled ‘Decree of Suspension’, dated Thursday, January 16, 2025, made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday.

Jointly signed by the Bishop of Warri, Rt. Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido and the Chancellor/Notary, Very Rev. Fr. Clement Abobo, it alleged that “Fr. Oghenerukevwe entered into marriage with Ms. Dora Chichah on December 29, 2024, at the Streams of Joy Church in Dallas, USA.”

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“By this action, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe has incurred a Latae Sententiae suspension in accordance with the provisions of Canon 1394 S1, and I, Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Bishop of Warri, do hereby officially decree that he is suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry,” the statement read.

Acknowledging that Fr. Oghenerukevwe had, on November 30, 2024, actually requested to be released from all canonical obligations associated with Holy Orders, the Catholic Church said he was asked to provide required documents to begin the process, adding that the priest however  went on to marry without completing the procedure.

“As such, he is prohibited from presenting himself as a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in any capacity. All canonical implications associated with this suspension take immediate effect (cf. Can. 1333),” the statement posited.

The Diocese further stated that Fr. Oghenerukevwe retains the right to petition for the revocation or amendment of the decree but must demonstrate a willingness to reform.

“May God grant him the grace to reflect on this situation and guide him on the path of reconciliation,” the statement concluded.