The Nigerian priest, who resigned recently from the Catholic
Church in Nigeria, has officially launched his own church in Uyo,
Akwa Ibom State.
Patrick Edet, while serving in the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, ran
a ‘Pentecostal-styled’ fellowship called Grace Family Outreach
within the Catholic structure.
Mr. Edet, who had been a Catholic priest for more than 11
years, stunned the Catholic community in Akwa Ibom when he
announced on a live radio programme on August 2 that he
was leaving the Catholic Church to live his life as an independent
cleric.
The Catholic Church later responded by stripping him
of the rights and privileges enjoyed by priests and also barred
Catholics from relating with him.
There has been a measure of excitement in Uyo over the recent
launch of Mr. Edet’s ministry since his exit from the
Catholic fold.
Some Catholic members, PREMIUM TIMES not TheNigerialawyer found
out, have been attending the programme, even though the Catholic
Bishop of Uyo Diocese, John Ayah, had earlier warned that any
Catholic member who attends his programme or identifies with him
(Mr Edet) in any way “does so at the risk of his or her
Catholic faith and membership.”
Mr. Edet on September 1 launched a “mega revival” programme
in Uyo, using his outreach.
The eight-day programme, which he tagged “The Great Awakening”,
is currently holding in a city hall and has been attracting large
crowds daily.
He has also erected billboards at strategic locations within the
city to announce the programme which is his first major public
outing since he quit the Catholic Church in August.
A member of the outreach, who gave his name simply as
Chukwuemeka, told PREMIUM TIMES on telephone that Mr. Edet would be
holding subsequent meetings in the city hall.
He didn’t, however, say how often the meetings would take
place.
On Saturday, during the second day of the church programme,
several people defied the heavy rainfall to attend his
programme.
About six police officers were deployed to guard the
congregation during the programme.
Culled: PREMIUM TIMES
The Nigerian priest, who resigned recently from the Catholic
Church in Nigeria, has officially launched his own church in Uyo,
Akwa Ibom State.
Patrick Edet, while serving in the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, ran
a ‘Pentecostal-styled’ fellowship called Grace Family Outreach
within the Catholic structure.
Mr. Edet, who had been a Catholic priest for more than 11
years, stunned the Catholic community in Akwa Ibom when he
announced on a live radio programme on August 2 that he
was leaving the Catholic Church to live his life as an independent
cleric.
The Catholic Church later responded by stripping him
of the rights and privileges enjoyed by priests and also barred
Catholics from relating with him.
There has been a measure of excitement in Uyo over the recent
launch of Mr. Edet’s ministry since his exit from the
Catholic fold.
Some Catholic members, PREMIUM TIMES not TheNigerialawyer found
out, have been attending the programme, even though the Catholic
Bishop of Uyo Diocese, John Ayah, had earlier warned that any
Catholic member who attends his programme or identifies with him
(Mr Edet) in any way “does so at the risk of his or her
Catholic faith and membership.”
Mr. Edet on September 1 launched a “mega revival” programme
in Uyo, using his outreach.
The eight-day programme, which he tagged “The Great Awakening”,
is currently holding in a city hall and has been attracting large
crowds daily.
He has also erected billboards at strategic locations within the
city to announce the programme which is his first major public
outing since he quit the Catholic Church in August.
A member of the outreach, who gave his name simply as
Chukwuemeka, told PREMIUM TIMES on telephone that Mr. Edet would be
holding subsequent meetings in the city hall.
He didn’t, however, say how often the meetings would take
place.
On Saturday, during the second day of the church programme,
several people defied the heavy rainfall to attend his
programme.
About six police officers were deployed to guard the
congregation during the programme.
Culled: PREMIUM TIMES