Rev. Patrick Edet of Catholic Diocese of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State who disclosed he was quitting priesthood over a local radio station on August 2nd to serve God the way he wanted, has been stripped of all power, rights and privileges accruing to a Priest of Catholic Church in Nigeria.

Here are excerpts from the excommunication notice, issued to parishioners on August 12, the Catholic Bishop of Uyo Diocese, John Ayah said;

“I advise that no Catholic member should approach him to obtain any service or guidance henceforth in the name of the Church,” the bishop said.

“Any Catholic who attends his programme or identifies with him in any way does so at the risk of his or her Catholic faith and membership,” he said.

The Bishop said he was forwarding Mr. Edet’s resignation letter to Pope Francis for further directives on the matter.

Mr. Edet, who ran a Pentecostal-style fellowship that attracted a huge crowd in Uyo, said that leaving the Catholic Church has given him freedom to practice Christianity without interference.

“You cannot know God beyond that box. You cannot express God beyond that box. And any attempt for you to go beyond that box brings you label. The reason I am doing this is that I want to be right with God first. I want to go to heaven when I die,” he said.