Crisis Looms In Obazu Mbieri Over Demolition Of Anglican Church Building

There is intense tension looming in the air, in Obazu Mbieri community, in Mbaitolu local government area of Abia State, hence a clarion call has been made to the authorities of the Anglican Diocese of Owerri to call Ven. Ferdy Mbalisi to order so as to avert an envisaged pandemonium which apparently would leave many in an open-mouthed horror.

This is following the recent demolition of the famous Anglican Church building, a monumental edifice, by Ven. Ferdy Mbalisi, the vicar in-charge of the church.

Wednesday Horn gathered from some reliable sources that the current development in the community has thrown the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Obazu congregation as well as the entire Obazu-Mbieri people both home and in the Diaspora into utter devastation.

The sources, amid bitterness, implored the leadership of Anglican Church in Owerri to intervene swiftly in order to ward-off the impending tumultuous situation in the area.

Reportedly, the Archdeacon who is accused of arbitrariness had embarked on the rash decision without a formal consultation of the
congregation nor the subsisting HTC Building Committee presided over by Prof. Cona Anosike.

Prof. Anosike, who could not conceal his pain regretted that the Nigeria nation with no exception had in recent times, experienced a hike in insecurity instigated by unknown gunmen insurgency.

Expressing his acrimony towards the deplorable situation, Prof. Anosike had written:

“Am pained and devastated in view of the security and fear of the unknown which has held Nigeria and Nigerians captive across the length and breadth of the federal republic.

“But am more pained to my marrow as well as Holy Trinity Anglican Church Obazu congregation cum Obazu-Mbieri people home and in the Diaspora condemned in strong terms the unilateral demolishing of the age-long HTC Obazu which dates close to a century and serves as historical monument/artifact for our children and unborn generation which is not only instructive, but educative, archaeological to behold!

“More worrisome is the obvious fact that this monumental house of God was arbitrarily pulled down by Ven. Ferdy Mbalisi the vicar in-charge of the church without consultation or recourse or reference to majority of the members of the church PCC, congregation or the subsisting HTC Building Committee ably chaired by my humble self, Prof. Cona Anosike, except he claims he appointed a Demolition committee which connotes an afront and usurpation of function by the Archdeacon.

“There’s growing tension, disaffection and disharmony among the people of HTC Obazu-Mbieri and the host community Obazu-Mbieri who erected that edifice many decades ago and this may snowball into an unimaginable showdown if not nipped in the bud by concerned stakeholders.

“We vehemently reject this height of arbitrariness perpetuated by the Archdeacon who erroneously thinks and believes he’s the sole administrator of HTC Obazu-Mbieri which will not be tolerated or condoned going forward.

“The authorities at the Anglican Diocese of Owerri should call him to order and his cohorts to forestall brewing degeneration of this avoidable recklessness in our worship centre. A stitch in time saves nine!” He lamented.

Similarly, another anonymous source wrote:

“WHY PUT US IN PAINS WITH THIS DEMOLITION?

“While we travel out to see churches and other edifices of the world with so much appreciation, we are busy demolishing ours.

“The demolition of the old church building of Holy Trinity Church, Obazu, a wrong move, an insult to Obazu people. That building stood as a historical edifice with so much attachments…..prayers and confessions. Ekpere ututu, sunday schools to the early morning bell by late de John etc. How could have anyone thought of demolishing it when we had opportunity of renovating it.

“Chief Nnamdi Iroegbu was out and ready to renovate that building. We took an engineer to the site to look at it. On inspection the arch deacon came out and made his discouragement, convincing Udu Nnamdi to liv the building and concentrate on the church hall as he wanted to make a note with that hall being built in his time. Iroegbu didn’t quite agree, but the priest was persuasive , he diverted the funds and attention to the hall.

“I also still remember he told the priest that he could still look at the old church after the hall ……that he has interest in maintaining that old building for history sake, little did we know that plans were concluded on how to bring it down and build a shopping mall.

“Take it or you leave it, that was a wrong move and many have frowned at it. It will also probably cause a delay in certain development in the church. The archdeacon has given a big crack on the minds of people. In his administration, we have had what many will regret for so long. This is a monumental damage and be rest assured that it won’t be viewed or treated with a…

“I do not like church politics, but i truly think the church administration would have alerted the community on this ……engaged them on some level of dialogue to feel their pulse on this. I hate to say there is intent of selfishness in this whole thing and it is likely to backfire.

“I hate to dabble into church politics, but the reactions from Obazu people shows that 90% of them are not happy with this development.”

Do you think the Archdeacon’s decision is also not laudable?
Drop your comments, please…