Catholic church recalls priest suspended for banning Igbo songs

Rev. Fr. James Anelu who was suspended for allegedly banning Igbo songs in his church has been recalled by the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins to continue as parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu Owa in Ikorodu.

This was contained in a statement signed by Director of Social Communications, Lagos Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, which was made available to Western Post.

Fr. Anelu was told to proceed on an indefinite suspension by the Lagos archbishop, after a viral video showed him banning Igbo songs in a parish.

The statement however said investigations carried out by the committee set up by the archbishop showed that the video online wasn’t the complete picture of what transpired.

This necessitated the recall of the Fr. Anelu from suspension.

“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,” the statement read in part.