By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The dedication of the newly completed Cathedral of the Our Lady of Assumption, Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, has continued to generate widespread condemnation across Anambra State following the alleged failure of the Church to acknowledge the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who reportedly single-handedly financed and executed the project.
The development took a dramatic turn when a Catholic Knight, identified as Sir James Louise, popularly known as Ebube Anaedo, publicly renounced Christianity in protest, accusing the Church of deliberately ignoring the immense contribution of the late Senator to the cathedral’s construction.
According to accounts from concerned faithful, the cathedral project was initiated by the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who voluntarily undertook to build the edifice for the Catholic Church. Before his death, the project was said to have reached about 85 per cent completion.
However, in 2022, following the posting of Bishop Dr. Jonas-Benson Okoye to the Nnewi Diocese, Senator Ubah was reportedly directed to disengage from the project, leading to the handover of the remaining work. This development allegedly created tension between the Bishop and the Senator, a situation that persisted until Ubah’s demise.
At the dedication ceremony held on Wednesday, many worshippers were said to have expressed quiet displeasure over the absence of any formal recognition, either verbally or in the official brochure, of Senator Ubah’s role in the cathedral’s construction.
Sir James Louise, visibly emotional, protested openly after the Mass. In a viral video circulating online, he was seen breaking down in tears, lamenting what he described as injustice and ingratitude by the Church. He dramatically removed his shoes and cap, symbols of his knighthood, declaring his resignation from Christianity.
“This is my last day as a Christian. I’m done. This is awful,” Louise said.
“How could anyone believe that this cathedral, which Ifeanyi Ubah slaved to build, could be inaugurated without a mention of his name? This is bad. I am done with Christianity.”
There are growing concerns that the controversy may affect church attendance, as some faithful are reportedly considering boycotting Masses in protest over what they perceive as unfair treatment of the late Senator.
As at the time of filing this report, the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has yet to offer an official explanation for the non-recognition of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who is widely believed to have funded and executed the bulk of the project from his personal resources.
