Bishop Anthony B. Taylor has removed Father Emmanuel Orgu from active ministry in the Diocese of Little Rock following an allegation of misconduct with an adult woman.
Father Orgu, a priest on loan from Nigeria, has served in St. Raphael Church in Springdale and St. John the Evangelist Mission in Huntsville since August 2007 and this summer was given additional responsibilities as associate pastor at St. Joseph Church in Tontitown and St. Mary Church in Siloam Springs. He lived in the rectory in Tontitown.
Father Orgu no longer has priestly faculties in the Diocese of Little Rock and has been asked to return to Nigeria.
The following letter from Bishop Taylor was read at Masses Sept. 19-20 to the four parishes where Father Orgu served.
“My dear people,
“Sadly, I must once again address parishes in northwest Arkansas regarding a priest serving in our diocese. As you know, our diocese is committed to ensuring the safety of our parishioners and the personal integrity of all who exercise ministry in the Church. The biggest concern of our Safe Environment Program has been the protection of minors since they are the most vulnerable members of society, but our concern is not limited to minors. Your priests and deacons know that any scandalous behavior — even with adults — will result in removal from ministry, which is why I am writing to you today.
“This last Wednesday, Sept. 16, we received word that Father Emmanuel Orgu, who has been the administrator of St. John the Evangelist since June 2009, and associate pastor of St. Joseph and St. Raphael since August 2007, is alleged to have engaged in misconduct with an adult female in the St. Joseph Parish rectory. There will be no criminal charges involved nor is any civil litigation anticipated in this matter because the other party involved in this misconduct is an adult. But it is clear that Father Orgu has violated our trust in him the consequence of which is his immediate removal from ministry in this diocese. As we investigate the allegation we have received, I would ask that anyone else who may have an allegation of misconduct by Father Orgu to please come forward. We have only received this one allegation, but if there are more incidents, we need to know it.
“As you may know, Father Orgu is a diocesan priest from Nigeria and we are keeping his bishop fully informed in this matter. The same day that we received word of Father Orgu’s misconduct, our chancellor for canonical affairs, Deacon Bo McAllister, arranged to meet with the parties concerned in Tontitown and Springdale. However, before he was able to meet with Father Orgu to discuss the allegation, Father Orgu left the area, apparently flying out of the diocese Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning. About mid-morning on Thursday, I received an e-mail from Father Orgu apologizing and stating that he has ’chosen to take a little rest … away from the parish and from the diocese so that the people of God can cope with the stress such a development has sparked.’
“I have responded to his e-mail stating that I have removed him from active ministry, withdrawn his faculties for the diocese and directed him to return immediately to his home diocese in Nigeria. In this regard, should Father Orgu contact any of you or should you learn of his whereabouts, I ask that you contact the diocese with that information as soon as possible.
“I apologize that I am not able to be with you today to discuss this matter with you in person, but I will be praying for each of you and for healing in your community. Please keep Father Orgu and all involved in this matter in your prayers. Please also keep me and your parish staff in your prayers as we do our best to deal with this painful matter as God would want.
Sincerely in Christ,
+Anthony B. Taylor
Bishop of Little Rock“
Nigerian priest removed from northwest Arkansas parishes
