Catholic priest suspended over prolonged absence from parish in Benue
A Catholic priest of the Diocese of Gboko, Benue,Rev. Fr. David Golodzo has been suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry over prolonged and unauthorized absence from duty.
A document bearing the official letterhead of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko and dated September 4, 2025, indicated that the decision was taken by the Bishop of Gboko Archdiocese, Most Rev. William Avenya.
According to the letter addressed to Rev. Fr. Golodzo, the priest was assigned to serve at St. Edward Parish, Uga, as an Associate Priest but allegedly absconded from his place of assignment for extended periods without the required permission of his proper ecclesiastical authority.
The Bishop referenced provisions of the Code of Canon Law, noting that clerics are bound by a vow of obedience and are obliged to remain resident in their place of assignment unless lawfully permitted otherwise. The letter further stated that repeated efforts by the Diocese to have the priest return were unsuccessful.
Citing Canon Law, the Bishop maintained that prolonged absence from one’s place of duty constitutes a grave violation that attracts canonical penalties. Consequently, the Diocese imposed a suspension, barring Rev. Fr. Golodzo from the public celebration of Holy Mass, the administration of sacraments, and participation in public acts of worship.
However, the letter clarified that the suspended priest is permitted to celebrate Holy Mass privately and to attend to the spiritual needs of the faithful only in situations of danger of death, in line with Church law.
The suspension, according to the document, takes immediate effect from the moment it is communicated and will remain in force until the priest ceases from what the Diocese described as contumacy.
The letter was signed by Bishop William Avenya and co-signed by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Wende.
A copy was also reportedly forwarded to the Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria for official records.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no public response from Rev. Fr. David Golodzo regarding the suspension.
