Kumbo: Kikaikom Catholic Church Chairperson resigns over death threats from Parish Priest

By Tata Mbunwe

The Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson of Saint Paul’s Catholic Church Kikaikom, Kumbo, in the Northwest Region has resigned, stating the Parish priest has threatened his life.

Dzerla Thomas Wanlai tendered his resignation Sunday, April 23, stating his life was at risk and that the Parish priest, Rev Tobias Fanwong Ngah, will be held responsible if anything happened to him.

“I have received threatening messages from persons I cannot identify them claiming to deal with me for the act, which I do not know,” he said in a resignation letter addressed to the priest.

“Little did I know you can do such a thing. I therefore and by the date of this signature, seize to function as the Chairperson of Kikaikom Parish Pastoral Council. My life is at risk for which anything can happen to me, you shall be held responsible,” he added.

Genesis of the problem

The Kikaikom Parish Chairperson’s resignation followed a misunderstanding with the Parish Priest concerning the cancellation of a Mass that was celebrated at a private home a week earlier.

The Parish Priest, Rev Tobias Fanwong, annulled the Mass on April 14 because it was celebrated by a newly ordained Priest who neither not inform him nor the Chairperson before proceeding.

However, news went out that the Parish Priest had said it was the Chairperson who had annulled the Mass, something that was not within his powers.

The information appears to have sparked outrage among some persons who reportedly threatened the Chairperson for abusing his powers.

The Chairperson, on the other hand, perceived the threats as though they came from the Parish Priest.

Parish Priest apologizes

In a handwritten pastoral letter on Tuesday, April 25, the Kikaikom Parish Priest, Rev Tobias Fanwong, apologized for the confusion that ensued about the cancellation of the Mass.

He affirmed he annulled the Mass, and not the Chairperson, as it had been reported. The annulment was because the Mass had been celebrated without his knowledge or that of the Chairperson, he noted.

“As the Parish priest, I carry all the blame and responsibility for the action. No one should blame our Parish Council Chairperson who does not have powers to do that,” Rev Tobias Fanwong wrote.

Concerning allegations about death threats on the Chairperson’s life, the priest wrote:

“Life is so precious and so our words and actions should aim at preserving life at all cost. Pray for all of us and pray for Kikaikom.”

The misunderstanding between the Kikaikom Parish Priest and the Chairperson comes barely two weeks after the Kumbo Diocese, in which the parish is based, ordained new priests into the fold.