Lagos, 09 March, 2022 / 9:30 pm (ACI Africa).
The Nigerian Catholic Priest who had been suspended for allegedly banning songs in one of the local languages in “his Church” has been recalled from “indefinite administrative leave” following “thorough investigation”.
Fr. James Anelu, the Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity Ewu Owa, Ikorodu Parish of Lagos Archdiocese is said to have prohibited Igbo songs and choruses in the Catholic Parish, arguing that the excesses of Ndigbo needed to be contained.
The Igbo people are considered “one of the biggest and most influential tribes” in Nigeria with a population of about 40 million throughout the West African nation.
“The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has recalled 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,” the Director of Social Communications in Lagos Archdiocese says in a Wednesday, March 9 statement.
Fr. Anthony Godonu says the Priest has been reinstated after “thorough investigation, conducted in consultation with the Parish Pastoral Council, the Parish Laity Council and Ad hoc Committee set up by the Archbishop.”
