Catholic priest reacts to trending photos of a Nigerian man and his white husband getting married in a church

A Catholic Priest in Nigeria, Fr Kelvin Ugwu, has denied reports claiming that a Nigerian man, Innocent Okechukwu, and his white lover got married in a Catholic church.

Over the weekend, photos of Innocent and George dressed in Igbo outfits and exchanging their wedding vows at their wedding ceremony officiated by a White priest inside a church, made the rounds on social media. Due to the presence of a priest and the church setting, many assumed the wedding held inside a Catholic.

Dismissing the claims via social media, Fr Ugwu stated that the wedding took place in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Downers Grove, Illinois (USA). He mentioned that 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.

He also stated that the Catholic Church frowns at same s#x marriages and will leave the church anyday same-s#x weddings are allowed.

‘’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”

See photos from the wedding below