LAGOS — Rev. Fr. James Anelu, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu Owa, who made headlines after he allegedly banned the singing of Igbo songs in his parish has been recalled to service.
It would be recalled that Fr. James was sent on suspension by the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins on February 7, 2022, following allegations that he banned the singing of Igbo songs in his Parish which generated a lot of heat online.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, the Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, the Archbishop said the church discovered after a thorough investigation into the matter that the post on social media about the alleged ban on Igbo choruses by the priest did not give a complete picture of the incident.
The Archbishop also instructed that he reconciles with the parishioners and amend his errors.
The statement, with the headline, “ARCHBISHOP ALFRED ADEWALE MARTINS RECALLS FR JAMES ANELU!” goes thus:
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.
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
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