The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Archdiocese, Adewale Alfred, has recalled the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church Ewu Owa, James Anelu, placed on indefinite suspension.
Mr Anelu was suspended after a video of him banning the singing of Igbo songs in his parish went viral in February.
Many of the parishioners had staged a walkout following the priest’s Igbo songs ban.
In a Press Statement signed by Rev. Ft. Anthony Godonu, Director of Social Communications, Lagos Archdiocese, the priest was recalled after investigation by the panel set up by the Archbishop and urged to reconcile with the parishioners and amend his errors.
The statement reads: “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 lgbo 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.”
