By Chris Steven
The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has suspended Rev. Fr. James Anelu, the Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-owa, Ikorodu, Lagos State over what the church called “unacceptable comments about Igbo songs being sung in the Church”.
Fr. Anelu was reported to have allegedly banned Igbo songs and choruses in his Church.
According to reports, the Priest who angrily stopped a soul lifting chorus during the second collection said the Igbos cannot keep dominating other people even in his Church.
He cited the case of his Benin Diocese where Igbos dominate to the point of becoming the Bishop in person of Akubueze.
But in a disclaimer issued on Monday, February 7 by Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos, the Archdiocese of Lagos said the unsavory remarks by the priest did not represent the Catholic Church’s position on 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 in the parish. The leave of absence takes effect from Tuesday, 8th February, 2022 till further notice,” the document read.
“We therefore urge all Catholic faithful to hold on to the faith and continue in our worship of God as one big family united in love and not separated by language, culture or race.”