Patrick Edet, a Catholic priest in Nigeria has announced on a live radio programme his resignation from the Catholic Church.
Edet, who served under the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has been a popular voice on radio in the state through his weekly live programme called Grace and Inspiration.
On Wednesday, on Planet 101.1FM, Uyo, instead of airing his usual inspirational message which has over the years endeared him to thousands within and outside the state, Mr. Edet dropped the shocking news, Premium Times reported.
“On 31 of July, I resigned from my services, my duties and obligations as a Catholic priest,” he said.
“I ceased to be a Catholic priest in my thinking, in my spirit, in my soul, (and) in my body.
“Yesterday, the 1st of August, was my first day outside the laws, the regulations, (and) the authority of the Catholic church.
“In my mind, every law that bound me bound me because I submitted myself to the Catholic Church as an institution.
“Having submitted my resignation letter to my authorities in the Catholic Church, in my spirit, soul and body, I am free from every law that guided me. I submit myself to one authority – God,” he said.
Mr. Edet was a Catholic priest for more than 11 years.
Akwa Ibom, a predominantly Christian state, has a high Catholic population.
It is very rare in Nigeria to have a priest quit the Catholic Church.
He said he prayed and fasted for seven months before he took the decision to leave the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church in the state could not be reached immediately for their comment on the matter.
Apart from being a radio preacher, Mr. Edet runs a crowd-pulling fellowship in Uyo, outside the control of the Catholic Church, using his Grace Family Global Outreach.
