The outgoing Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Owerri, Anthony Obinna, says the church has completely abolished the Osu caste system in Igboland.

Mr Obinna said this while addressing journalists in Owerri as part of activities marking the St Patrick’s Day celebration.

The apostolic administrator who mentioned the abolition as part of his achievements while serving as archbishop said the diala/amadi–osu–ume–ohu caste systems were no longer in existence.

He stated that the Osu caste had negatively affected marriages, chieftaincy titles, and various offices in the church, public and community life.

“On Thursday, March 10, 2022, the Catholic Bishops of Igboland in Onitsha and Owerri Ecclesiastical Provinces jointly issued a pastoral directive to end the idolatrous, inhuman and painful discrimination among Ndigbo,” he said.

He, however, explained that he would continue as the archbishop emeritus and apostolic administrator of the vacant seat of Owerri archdiocese until Archbishop Lucius Ugorji takes over the archdiocese of Owerri on June 23, 2022.

“We pray for Archbishop Ugorji, who was elected the new president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, and wish him all the best as he takes up his multiple responsibilities,” he said.

Speaking on the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Mr Obinna called for prayers for an end to the war.

“The war in Ukraine, a pandemic worse than COVID-19, is in the air and affecting even Igbos and other citizens of the world,” added the archbishop. “People are intensifying prayers to God between bombs and death. Let us all join in praying for Nigerians, Ukrainians and Russians for an end to this annihilation and brutality.”

(NAN)