Mary Onyia
Opinions are divided over the suspension of a catholic priest, Rev Father James Anelu of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa Gberigbe in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria.
Rev. Fr. Anelu was asked to proceed on an indefinite leave by the Catholic Arch Bishop of Lagos, Alfred Martins, over his discriminatory comments against the Igbos and his banning of Igbo songs and choruses in his parish as well as his outrage and insistence that’ the excesses of the Igbos must be contained,’ during Mass on Sunday.
The suspension of the priest in question has, however, drawn different reactions from different quarters. While some believe that the stick was wielded too heavily on him, others say that attitude was unbecoming of a man of God.
Fr. Anelu was reported to have stopped a soul lifting chorus during the second collection saying that the Igbos cannot keep dominating other ethnic groups even in his church. He made reference to his Diocese in Benin where the Igbo dominated to the extent of becoming the Bishop in the person of Akubueze.
Anelu went on to say that the spirit of God in any place recognizes only the language indigenous to that geographical location.
The congregation on hearing this rose in protest and walked out of the church leading to an abrupt dismissal of the mass.
However, Martins, in the letter dated February 7, said, “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.”
The Archbishop called on the church faithful to continue to serve God as one big family and in unity.