Catholic Priest suspended for banning Igbo songs in Lagos Parish

By Matthew Eloyi

Rev. Fr. James Anelu, Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa, Gberigbe in Ikorodu, Lagos, has been suspended by the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos for banning Igbo music and choruses in his parish.

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Martins, issued a statement claiming that the priest’s conduct did not reflect the Catholic Church’s perspective on the shared brotherhood of people of all tribes and religions.

As a result, he instructed the priest to take an indefinite leave of absence.

“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 and unsavoury remarks that do not represent the Catholic Church’s position on the common brotherhood of peoples of all tribes and religions.

“For this reason, he has been asked to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence to give an opportunity for a thorough investigation of all the matters relating to his ministry on the parish. The leave of absence takes effect from Tuesday, February 8, 2021, till further notice

“We, therefore, urge all Catholic faithful to hold on to the faith and continue in worship of God as one big family united and not separated by language, culture, or race,” the statement read.