A woman identified as Mary Okanatotor, claiming to be the biological sister of a suspended Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe, has shed light on the circumstances that led to her brother’s controversial decision to leave the priesthood and marry.
Rev. Fr. Oghenerukevwe, who hails from Ewu Kingdom in Delta State, shocked many when he tied the knot with his partner, Dora Chichah, on December 29, 2024, at the Stream of Joy Church in Dallas, Texas, USA. His actions defied the celibacy vows he took as a Catholic priest and led to his suspension from priestly duties by the Catholic Diocese of Warri.
Speaking on the matter, Mary revealed that her brother struggled with mental health challenges and loneliness for an extended period. She stated that these factors played a significant role in his decision to leave the priesthood and marry.
In her words:
“Thank you all for your comments. The said priest is my brother, and it was the best decision for him because he had a lot of issues with his mental health for a long time and couldn’t deal with the loneliness.
“We and his family members are not physically with him to offer support. This is a trying time for our family, but he who finds a wife finds a good thing.
“Secondly, he did not marry in secret. He wrote to the diocese to inform them of his decision. Once again, thank you for your encouraging words.”
Rev. Fr. Oghenerukevwe, ordained on June 21, 2008, served faithfully for years before making the life-altering decision to step away from his priestly obligations. His marriage has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting his choice and others criticizing his departure from Catholic Church traditions.
