The Holy Father Francis has received in private Audience today, 8 June, a delegation from the diocese of Ahiara, Nigeria, accompanied by the archbishop of Abuja and apostolic administrator of Ahiara, His Eminence Cardinal John O. Onaiyekan; the metropolitan archbishop of Owerri, His Excellency Msgr. Anthony Obinna, the archbishop of Jos and president of the Episcopal Conference of Nigeria, His Excellency Msgr. Ignatius Kaigama, and the bishop of Ahiara, His Excellency Msgr. Peter Ebere Okpaleke.

The delegation consisted of the priests Clement O. Ebii, Jude N. Uwalaka, Uhuegbu Innocent Olekamma, Sister Bernardette O. Ezeyi and Stanley Pius Iwu, traditional chief.

The delegation made an ad Limina Apostolorum pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul, as well as the Basilica of St. Mary Major for moments of prayer; finally, this morning, they participated in the private celebration of the Holy Mass of the Supreme Pontiff.

In the preceding days, the delegation met with the Cardinal Secretary of State, and the Prefect and Superiors of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, with whom the difficult situation of the Church in Ahiara was extensively examined.

In today's audience the Holy Father, after careful assessment, spoke of the inadmissibility of the situation in Ahiara and undertook to take the appropriate measures, while entrusting the Diocese of Ahiara to the maternal care of Mary.