Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa Gberigbe in Ikorodu, Lagos, Rev. Fr. James Anelu
Catholic Church reinstates priest suspended for banning Igbo songs in Lagos parish
Catholic Church in Nigeria has reinstated the Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa Gberigbe in Ikorodu, Lagos, Rev. Fr. James Anelu, who was sent on ‘an indefinite leave of absence’ on February 7, for allegedly banning Igbo songs and choruses in his parish.
According to the parish priest, while explaining his action, the excesses of Ndigbo must be cautioned.
However, a statement confirming his reinstatement issued by the Director of Social Communications, Lagos Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Wednesday, said Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, recalled Rev. Fr. James Anelu from the indefinite administrative leave.
“The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has recalled Rev. Fr. James ANELU, the Parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu Owa from the indefinite administrative leave to which he was sent on Feb. 7th 2022. Fr. ANELU proceeded on the leave following allegations that he banned the singing of Igbo songs in the Parish.
“Following a thorough investigation, conducted in consultation with the Parish Pastoral Council, the Parish Laity Council and Ad hoc Committee set up by the Archbishop, it was discovered that the posting on the social media that brought about the administrative leave did not give a complete picture of the incident.
“Fr. James has therefore been asked to return to the Parish in order to remedy the situation created by the social media posting and bring about reconciliation and unity in the parish.
“In the spirit of the Lenten season, he urged all the parishioners to work together in collaboration with the Parish priest for the greater glory of God and the good of the community.
“He also called upon all God’s children to remember Fr. Anelu and his parishioners in their prayers,” read the statement by Rev. Fr. Godonu.
It would be re called that the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Martins, in a disclaimer,’ had directed the priest to go on ‘an indefinite leave of absence’ on February 7.
Anelu was reported to have banned Igbo songs and choruses in his parish, arguing that the excesses of Ndigbo must be contained.
It was learnt that he had angrily stopped a soul-lifting chorus during the second collection, noting that Igbo cannot keep dominating other people in his Catholic parish.
He reportedly cited the case of his Benin Diocese where the Igbo dominate to the point of becoming the Bishop, allegedly claiming that the spirit of God recognises only geographical languages of the parish.
“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,” read the notice announcing the suspension of the priest, dated February 7,” his earlier suspension letter read.
