Rev. Fr. Daniel Okanatotor Oghenerukevwe of the Catholic Church of Warri Diocese, who recently renounced his priestly vows to marry, reportedly took the decision due to prolonged loneliness, his sister has disclosed.
Fr. Okanatotor tied the knot with his wife, Dora Chichah, at the Stream of Joy Church in Dallas, USA, on December 29, 2024.
However, the marriage sparked controversy as it occurred without his official release from the Church’s canonical obligations, resulting in his suspension from priestly duties.
Speaking out on the matter, Mary Okanatotor, who identified herself as the biological sister of the priest, defended her brother’s decision.
She explained that the former priest had faced mental health challenges for years and struggled to cope with the solitude required by his priestly vocation.
Mary stated, “It was the best decision for him. He had battled mental health issues for a long time and couldn’t handle the loneliness. We, his family, were not physically present to support him, and this weighed heavily on him.”
She emphasized that her brother did not marry in secret as accused, as he had informed the diocese of his intentions beforehand.
“This is a trying time for our family,” she added, “but he who finds a wife finds a good thing.”
The development has sparked mixed reactions, with some expressing support for Fr. Okanatotor’s decision and others questioning the implications for his commitment to the priesthood.