Lagos Priest Who Banned Igbo Songs In Parish Suspended By Catholic Church

Rev. Fr. James Anelu, the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa Gberigbe in Ikorodu, Lagos, has been “suspended” for prohibiting Igbo music and choruses in his church.

In a “disclaimer,” the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Martins, ordered the priest to take “an indefinite leave of absence.”

Anelu is said to have outlawed Igbo music and choruses in his parish, claiming that Ndigbo excesses must be reined down.

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It was discovered that during the second collection, he had forcefully halted a soul-lifting song, stating that Igbos cannot continue to dominate other people in his Catholic church.

He is said to have highlighted the situation of his Benin Diocese, where Igbos had dominated to the point of becoming Bishop, arguing that the spirit of God only recognizes the parish’s geographical languages.

“It has been brought to our notice that Rev Fr James Anelu, the priest-in-charge of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa, Ikorodu, made some completely unacceptable comments about Igbo songs being sung in the Church, as well as unsavoury remarks that do not represent the Catholic church’s position on the common brotherhood of peoples of all tribes and religions,” Martins wrote in the letter dated February 7.

“As a result, he has been ordered to take an indefinite leave of absence to allow for a comprehensive assessment of all problems concerning his ministry on the parish.” The leave of absence will begin on Tuesday, February 8, 2021, and will last until further notice.

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“As a result, we implore the Catholic faithful to maintain their faith and continue to worship God as one giant family, united and not divided by language, culture, or ethnicity.”

 

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