Sapele, Delta State — Tension was reported on Sunday in Sapele as senior Anglican Church leaders, including the Archbishop of Bendel Ecclesiastical Province, were denied access to the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Sapele, where a reconciliation service had been scheduled to address the long-standing crisis in the Diocese of Sapele.
In a statement made available to Roma Communications, Ven. Theophilus Usikaro disclosed that the Archbishop, His Grace, Most Rev’d Cyril Odutemu, the Bishop of the Diocese of Sapele, Rt. Rev. Dr. (Amb.) Blessing Erifeta, alongside other bishops, clergy, and worshippers, were unable to enter the cathedral upon arrival for the service.
According to Ven. Usikaro, the reconciliation exercise was convened at the instance of the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, and was intended to bring an end to the nearly ten-year crisis affecting the diocese.
He explained that access to the cathedral was reportedly blocked by some aggrieved members of the Cathedral Church and individuals from a few other congregations, resulting in heightened tension within the church premises.
“Our clergy and members drawn from the seventeen archdeaconries of the Diocese of Sapele who came for the reconciliation service were prevented from entering the cathedral,” Ven. Usikaro stated. “There were provocative actions from the protesters, and emotions ran high, but caution and restraint were exercised to maintain peace.”
He further revealed that the timely intervention of security agencies, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force and other security personnel, helped to restore calm and avert a breakdown of law and order.
Following the disruption, Ven. Usikaro said the Primate, represented by Archbishop Odutemu, alongside other bishops of the Bendel Ecclesiastical Province and delegates from the Primate’s office, relocated the reconciliation service to the Pro-Cathedral Church, Christ Church, Sapele.
Addressing members of the diocese at the Pro-Cathedral, Archbishop Odutemu reportedly assured worshippers that efforts were ongoing to resolve all outstanding issues amicably. He urged members to remain calm, prayerful, and committed to peace, expressing confidence that the church would overcome its present challenges.
The Diocese of Sapele has experienced a prolonged internal crisis largely linked to leadership disagreements. The dispute has involved allegations against the diocesan bishop, protests by some members, legal actions, and divisions within the church. While the Primate and other senior church leaders have made several attempts at mediation over the years, recent developments in January 2026 indicate renewed efforts toward reconciliation, including the planned service aimed at restoring unity within the diocese.
