- Catholic priest Father Kelvin Ugwu has clarified that the viral photos of same-sex weddings do not involve the Catholic Church, saying the ceremony took place in an Episcopal church in the United States that allows same-sex marriages.
- Father Ugwu further said that the Catholic Church does not allow same-sex marriages, insisting that the church would never sanction such ceremonies.
Nigerian Catholic priest Kelvin Ugwu has refuted reports that Nigerian man Innocent Ndubuisi Okechukwu and his white partner were married in a Catholic church.
Over the weekend, photos of the couple wearing traditional Igbo attire and exchanging vows in a church went viral on social media. The presence of a white priest and the church setting led many online users to believe the ceremony was taking place in a Catholic church.
In response to these reports, Father Ugwu clarified on social media that the wedding was not held in a Catholic church. According to him, the ceremony was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Downers Grove, Illinois, USA.
He explained that the Anglican Communion is part of the Global Anglican Communion, a fellowship of churches around the world that recognizes the Archbishop of Canterbury as a symbol of unity. Therefore, it is not affiliated with the Catholic Church.
Father Ugwu further said that the Catholic Church does not allow same-sex marriages, insisting that the church would never sanction such ceremonies.
He provided detailed clarification, noting that Innocent Okechukwu was a Nigerian composer and pianist with a strong academic background in music, having attended a minor Catholic seminary but never entered a major seminary. He added that the groom’s partner Greg was a choir singer and lector at the Anglican church.
The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Greg Morris, rector of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, according to Father Ugwu, who added that the Anglican denomination officially allows clergy to officiate same-sex marriages.
“To anyone who mentions me in these photos, let me provide these clarifications.
- The black man is a Nigerian named Innocent Ndubuisi Okechukwu. He is a composer and pianist with an extensive body of work and academic research in the field of music.
- He began studying at a small Catholic seminary (high school) where he sang/played music. He never attended a major seminary.
- The white man’s name is Greg. He was a choir singer and reader in the Episcopal Church.
- The “wedding” was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Downers Grove, Illinois, USA.
- The Anglican Communion belongs to the Universal Anglican Communion, a fellowship of churches around the world that recognizes the unity of the Archbishop of Canterbury. As an Anglican church, St Andrew’s has Anglican heritage and links to wider communion.
- The pastor is the Rev. Greg Morris. He is the rector (senior minister) of the diocese.
- The Episcopal Church does allow clergy to officiate same-sex marriages, and the denomination also authorizes religious weddings for gay couples.
- I hope this clarification helps. Thank you for your attention!
