Why a Delta Catholic Priest Chose to Marry: Insights from a Sister

A woman claiming to be the biological sister of the suspended Catholic priest who dumped Priesthood for marriage has defended him. 

Mary Okanatotor, claims that the suspended Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe got married because he was lonely.

Recall that the Rev. Father was suspended for dumping his celibacy vows and getting married in Dallas, United States of America.

The priest married Dora Chichah at the Stream of Joy Church in Dallas, USA, on December 29, 2024, without waiting to be released from his canonical obligations and responsibility by the universal Church.

Consequently, the church authorities suspended him from priestly duties.

Mary disclosed that Oghenerukevwe suffered from mental health issues for a long time and could not handle the “loneliness” as a priest.

She stated, “Thank you all for the 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 with him to give him support physically. Thank you for your encouraging words.

“This is a trying time for our family, but he who finds a wife finds a good thing.

“Secondly, he did not do a secret marriage as he wrote to the diocese to inform them of his decision. 

“Once again, thank you.” 

Fr. Oghenerukevwe, who hails from one of the communities in Ewu Kingdom of Delta State, was ordained a priest on June 21, 2008, into the Catholic Diocese of Warri.