04/03/2026
DIOCESE OF AWGU/ANINRI (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
RE: “A CRY FROM THE SOIL OF AWGU/ANINRI DIOCESE” - SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
1. The Diocese of Awgu/Aninri has observed a widely circulated social media post authored by Mr Chinonso Orji, a former Church Teacher in the Diocese. Although our long-standing policy is to address internal concerns through established ecclesiastical and administrative channels rather than public exchanges, however, the volume of misinformation contained in the viral message makes it necessary to offer a clear and factual clarification for the sake of the public and the faithful who may be misled by its emotional framing.
2. This response is not issued in anger, nor is it intended to silence legitimate concerns. Rather, it is a responsibility to truth, transparency, and the preservation of trust within the household of faith.
CLARIFYING THE TRUTH ABOUT DIOCESAN ASSESSMENT
3. At the heart of the viral post is a fundamental misunderstanding, whether sincere or deliberate, of what “assessment” means in an Anglican Diocese. Assessment is not a levy imposed for private gain. It is the collective financial participation of all parishes in sustaining the mission, ministries, and administrative structures of the Diocese.
4. Through assessment, the Church pays stipends and allowances for the diocesan workers, supports missionary outstations and rural congregations, maintains diocesan institutions, executes social welfare initiatives, and funds evangelism, youth ministry, children ministry, training, and other essential programmes. It is the shared stewardship of the people of God and not a mechanism of exploitation.
5. It is important to state clearly that the Diocese of Awgu/Aninri did not increase assessment for four consecutive years. Despite the economic downturn, inflation, and rising operational costs across the nation, the Diocese deliberately maintained a fixed assessment from 2021 to 2025 in order to ease financial pressures on congregations, particularly those in rural communities.
6. In addition to freezing assessment for four years, the Diocese went further to protect the poorest congregations. Churches located in missionary or economically vulnerable areas were granted full assessment exemptions for several years. They paid nothing during that period. Only recently were they invited to make a symbolic contribution of one thousand naira per month, a gesture that cannot reasonably be described as oppression or a crushing burden.
7. Furthermore, the Diocese introduced a Mission Fund specifically designed to support ministry in rural and missionary areas. Through this fund, many Church Teachers and priests serving in difficult locations receive stipends and mission support. The Diocese has therefore consistently demonstrated that it sends financial support to the grassroots rather than merely collecting from them.
8. The claim that the Diocese is financially insensitive to the plight of the poor is therefore inaccurate and misleading, and deeply unfair to the leadership and faithful members who have worked diligently to sustain both ministry and compassion within the Diocese.
THE 2026 BUDGET: A TRANSPARENT AND DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
9. The viral message also creates the impression that the 2026 assessment arose from arbitrary decisions taken without consultation. This claim is not correct.
10. The 2026 Diocesan Budget was openly debated, thoroughly reviewed, and officially approved by the Diocesan Board on 19 February 2026 at Emmanuel Church, Ugbo. The Diocesan Board is the highest administrative council of the Diocese and consists of clergy and laity representing every parish, including archdeacons, priests, Church Teachers, and synod delegates. Decisions taken at this level reflect collective deliberation and not the opinion of any single office or individual.
11. The Diocesan Board meeting was the proper and constitutional forum where questions, objections, and clarifications could have been raised. Mr Chinonso Orji, who was expected to attend as a Church Teacher, was absent. It is therefore misleading to suggest that decisions were made without consultation when one has chosen not to participate in the very meetings where such matters are discussed.
THE NECESSARY CONTEXT ABOUT MR CHINONSO ORJI
12. The Diocese does not take pleasure in discussing the personal conduct of any of its workers in public. However, because the viral post portrays its author as a courageous defender of the poor and implies that diocesan leadership is oppressive, it has become necessary to provide factual context so that the public may understand the full picture.
13. Mr Chinonso Orji served as a Church Teacher for less than two years and was on probation. Within that short period, he has demonstrated a pattern of insubordination, disregard for ecclesiastical authority, and repeated breaches of ministerial responsibility.
14. He was suspended from the Diocesan Anglican Children Ministry due to persistent noncompliance with established guidelines. He has also had unresolved issues with the leadership of the Anglican Youth Fellowship of the Diocese due to his refusal to align with recognised administrative procedures.
15. In 2025 he absconded from his duty post for eight consecutive months, leaving the congregation under his care without pastoral leadership. During this period the Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry had to personally assume responsibility for the church in order to prevent the congregation from being abandoned. A formal query was issued to him concerning this serious neglect of duty, yet he has refused to respond to the query to this day.
16. It is also important to state that the church where he was serving provided a decent and free accommodation for him in order to reduce financial pressure on the congregation. He declined the offer and insisted that the church should continue paying rent for another accommodation. This insistence placed an unnecessary financial burden on the same congregation he now claims to be defending on social media.
17. His attitude has also led to strained relationships within his community. Because of his confrontational disposition, he has had several issues with youths in the community.
18. In addition, he has consistently failed to attend several mandatory diocesan engagements including the 2025 End of Year Workers’ Retreat, the Diocesan Rededication Service held on 25 January 2026, Archdeaconry Workers and Wives Fellowship, the 2026 Diocesan Workers and Wives Retreat, and the Diocesan Board meeting where the 2026 Budget was approved. These are the very platforms where concerns could have been respectfully raised and addressed.
19. Against this background, his sudden attempt to present himself publicly as the lone voice defending the poor cannot be separated from his consistent avoidance of accountability and established ecclesiastical processes.
20. It is therefore deeply unfortunate that a Church Teacher who was still under probation would throw caution to the wind and publicly cast aspersions on the very Diocese that gave him the opportunity to serve. Such conduct reflects a troubling spirit of rebellion and disregard for the order and discipline that guide the life of the Church. While the Diocese must firmly correct misinformation and uphold its structures, we bear no ill will toward him. Rather, we remain prayerful that God will grant him humility, and restoration. We also encourage the faithful and all who read this statement to join us in praying for him, that the Lord in His mercy will guide him back to a path of accountability, obedience, and faithful service in the household of God.
CONCLUSION: TRUTH, COMPASSION, AND THE MISSION OF CHRIST
21. The Diocese of Awgu/Aninri remains deeply committed to compassion, transparency, and the well-being of all its congregations. Our rural churches are supported and strengthened. Our workers are guided, trained, and encouraged. Financial policies are not crafted in secrecy but are subjected to open deliberation by clergy and laity within the proper structures of the Church.
22. The viral post therefore presents a distorted picture that does not reflect the pastoral spirit or administrative reality of this Diocese. It represents the personal grievances of an individual who has repeatedly declined to follow the processes that govern our common life and ministry.
23. We encourage our faithful members and the general public to remain discerning, to seek clarification through appropriate channels, and to continue praying for the unity, peace, and integrity of the Church.
24. The Diocese of Awgu/Aninri remains steadfast in its mission. Rooted in the Gospel, guided by compassion, and strengthened by unity, we continue by the grace of God to serve Christ and His people with faithfulness and integrity.
Venerable Alex Uzor
Diocesan Director of Media and Communications
Bishop’s Administrative Assistant
Diocese of Awgu/Aninri
