Fr. Kelvin Ugwu, a Nigerian Catholic priest, has refuted rumors that Innocent Okechukwu, a Nigerian, and his white lover were married in a Catholic church.
Photos of Innocent and George, dressed in Igbo attire, exchanging vows during their wedding ceremony, which was performed by a White priest inside a church, went viral on social media over the weekend. Many assumed the wedding took place inside a Catholic church because of the presence of a priest.
Fr. Ugwu denied the allegations made on social media, saying that the wedding was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Downers Grove, Illinois (USA). He stated that the Episcopal Church is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a fellowship of churches that acknowledges the unity of the Archbishop of Canterbury. St. Andrew’s shares this Anglican heritage and ties to the larger communion because it is an Episcopal church.
Additionally, he said that the Catholic Church disapproves of same-sex unions and will disassociate itself from the institution if same-s•x unions are permitted.
‘’To all those mentioning me to these pictures, let me provide these clarifications.
1. The black man is a Nigerian by name Innocent Ndubuisi Okechukwu. He is a composer and pianist with a significant body of work and academic study in music.
2. He started in a Catholic minor seminary (secondary school) and sang/played music there. He never went to major seminary.
3. The white man is called Greg. He is a chorister and a lector (reader) in Episcopal Church.
4. The “wedding” took place in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Downers Grove, Illinois (USA).
5. The Episcopal Church belongs to the global Anglican Communion, a fellowship of churches worldwide that recognizes the Archbishop of Canterbury for unity. As an Episcopal church, St. Andrew’s shares this Anglican heritage and connection to the broader communion.
6. The minister is Rev. Gregg Morris. He is the rector (senior minister) of that parish.
7. The Episcopal Church does permit clergy to officiate same-sex marriages, and the denomination has authorized religious weddings for gay couples.
8. I hope this clarification helps. Thanks for your attention!
#PurestPurity”