Alvin M. Keeling 
The parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa Gberigbe in Ikorodu, Lagos, Rev. Fr. James Anelu, has been ‘suspended’ for banning Igbo songs and choirs in his parish.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Alfred Martins, in a ‘warning’, ordered the priest to go on ‘indefinite furlough’.
Anelu is said to have banned Igbo songs and choirs in his parish, arguing that Ndigbo excesses must be contained.
It was learned that he angrily stopped an uplifting choir during the second collection, noting that Igbos cannot continue to dominate others in his Catholic parish.
He would have cited the case of his diocese of Benin where the Igbos dominate to the point of becoming its bishop, claiming allegedly that the spirit of God only recognizes the geographical languages of the parish.
While announcing the suspension, Martins, in the letter dated February 7, said: “It has come to our attention that Reverend James Anelu, the priest in charge of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa, Ikorodu, made some totally unacceptable comments on Igbo songs sung in the Church and unsavory remarks which do not represent the position of the Catholic Church on the common brotherhood of people of all tribes and religions.
“For this reason, he has been asked to proceed with an indefinite leave to allow an opportunity for a thorough investigation of all matters relating to his ministry on the parish. The leave takes effect from Tuesday, February 8, 2021, until further notice
“We therefore urge all faithful Catholics to cling to the faith and continue to worship God as one big united family and not separated by language, culture or race.”
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material and any other digital content on this website may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without the prior express written permission of PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
