Nigeria: Anglican Church ejects 2 priests for homosexuality
The Anglican Church of Nigeria last week expelled two priests whom it accused of homosexuality.
By Mike Daemon
In Nigeria, LGBT people suffer various forms of discrimination at all levels within the society, even from within the Christian faith.
Many Nigerians believe the Bible condemns LGBTIQ folks, and thus views homosexuality as a sin that should not be tolerated, even though modern interpretation and a deeper research into what the Bible really says about homosexuality seem to prove otherwise.
Sadly, just like many other Christian organizations in the country, the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Arochuwkwu/Ohafia in Abia State, still holds strongly to the opinion that homosexuality is a sin, as they recently dismissed two priests based on accusations that they are homosexuals.
To that effect, a letter dated 29 April 2019 was issued and signed on behalf of the church by Rev. Johnson C. Onuoha, who currently serves as the bishop of the diocese.
The letter stated that the two men, the Rev. Chukwuemeka Duru and the Rev. Chukwuzubelu Okonkwo both engaged in homosexual activities. An internal investigation conducted by the church proved them guilty, the letter stated, so they were dismissed from the church.
See the letter below.
No further information was provided about the two men and their whereabouts.
To 76crimes, It is unfair to republish this letter and mention the names of the priests in your report as if the humiliation of the original letter wasn’t enough!!! We need to protect the identity and the dignity of the priests.
The Anglican Church of Nigeria behave badly and handling of this matter is disgraceful, would they humiliate those who are corrupt or have committed adultery and other violations. It’s sad that two priests who have offered their life to the church could be treated in this manner.
Dear Jide,
Thanks for your concern. I would agree with you that the priests’ identities should not be revealed if they weren’t already widely known. But the priests are already exposed to homophobic scorn and now they deserve our support. Can you help? The Nigerian church’s letter has been widely circulated in the media and we are not the first to publish it.
— Mike Daemon, co-founder of the African Human Rights Media Network and publisher of NoStringsNG.com