The over three year old crisis rocking the foundation and ownership of the Roman Catholic congregation domiciled in Orlu, Imo state, known as the Two Hearts of Love, Ugwu Nso has taken a new dimension as the outgoing Bishop of Ilorin Diocese has been accused of taking sides with some suspended Priests of the congregation, to appropriate the congregations property situate in Ilorin, Kwara state, capital. The attempt to confiscate or appropriate the choice property have however met with stiff resistance.
This same congregation, some years ago had a running battle with some persons and church authorities who wanted to appropriate or acquire some property, mainly schools or in the alternative relinquish the ownership or proprietorship of such schools. Though the matter was abandoned following public outcry and protests, it has now reared it’s ugly head in another dimension.
However,as if it is a conspiracy between the Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese and these same persons in Orlu Catholic Diocese, who had attempted to close down the Two Hearts of Love and acquire it’s property, the outgoing Ilorin Catholic Bishop of Ilorin, Rt. Rev. Ayo Maria, is alleged to have initiated a fresh plot to destabilize the congregation using some Catholic Priests led by one Matthew Effusim, to achieve the ignoble act.
It will be recalled that the authorities of the Two Hearts of Love (Ugwu Nso) had earlier in the year written to inform the Bishop of Ilorin on the activities of these Priests including their scandalous sexual escapades and other acts of immorality and debasement, capable of tarnishing the image of the congregation and the church, but he seems to be condoning them.
A Parishioner in Ilorin Diocese who is very close to the church authorities has revealed to the media that there is a deliberate plot to use some persons to appropriate property of the congregation mainly schools by the Bishop who is about to retire from acting service.
When similar incident reared its ugly head a few years ago and the Two Hearts of Love congregation had a running battle with some fellows and a Bishop in Orlu Diocese who also wanted the congregation to concede some of her property them, the move was vehemently resisted.
It took the intervention of the public, and outcry of discerning members of the society on the need to allow the institutions to operate, as they were for public interest, to compel the authorities to soft-pedal on their self serving desire.
Effort to reach the Bishop for reaction proved abortive as he did not take his calls or return same up to the time of going to press.He also did not reply text messages sent to his phone.
