The wedding between Rev. Elvis Opune of All Saints Anglican Cathedral Abakaliki, Ebonyi State and Grace Chika Olunze of Umuchoke Mbaitolu, Imo State was aborted by the authorities of the church over alleged double dating.
Opune, his bride, and guests had seated inside the church ultra-modern building at 9.30am for the wedding when one of the priests, Ven. Kingsley Okoro, came in to announce that the wedding will no longer hold and asked everyone in the church to leave.
Okoro, who said that the directive to stop the wedding came from ‘above’, did not, however, disclose the reason for the cancellation of the wedding.
The cancellation shocked the parishioners, guests and priests inside the church as they came out and started discussing the matter in groups.
One of the parishioners, who simply gave her name as Helen, however, told Sunday Vanguard that Opune had been accused of dating a girl. The girl was said to have lodged a complaint on Friday night that the priest was dating her and dumped her after promising her marriage.
Meanwhile, a popular evangelist, who pleaded anonymity, said Opune and Grace should have wedded two years ago but could not because of undisclosed reason.
He noted that Grace, because of the matter, decided to quit the relationship but later reconciled with the pastor and they rescheduled their wedding for yesterday.
When contacted, Opune declined comments. Also, the bishop of the cathedral, Rt. Rev. Monday Nkwoagu, refused to give Vanguard reporter audience when he visited the Bishop’s Court for his reaction.
The guests, including a former Minister of State for Power and Steel, Chief Goddy Ogbaga, and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Abakaliki, Professor Fidelis Okpata, left the church after waiting for some time to know if the church will make a u-turn on the wedding.
The prospective couple had celebrated their traditional marriage last Wednesday at the bride’s home town in Imo State.
I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 23-07-2017 07:48 AM (7 years ago) | Addicted Hero
These Anglican Pastors Are Allowed To Marry Unlike Catholic Priests,yet One Woman Do Not Seem To Be Enough For Them.Quite Disgraceful That This One Chose To Double-date.I Wonder What He Would Then Preach To His Congregation.Too Hopeless.Clerically Hopeless!
Posted: at 23-07-2017 08:27 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
A woman lodge a complaint that the pastor have already promised her marriage before switching over to marry someone else and they did NOT bother to invite the pastor for questioning before aborting the wedding. This is a hypocritical one sided judgement on the side of the pastor who still have nothing to loose as he had already did his Tradition Wedding and paid the girl's bride price. According to tradition, he is free to live with the girl as couple so church wedding is a mere ceremony for eating and drinking. No prayer from any man of God supersede the blessing his father in-law already gave him during the traditional ceremony of wine carrying. Nonsense!!!
Posted: at 23-07-2017 09:50 AM (7 years ago) | Upcoming
They suppose to let the pastor know before aborting the wedding....for this recession...and so many people travel from differnt places for the wedding....this is not an example of Christ like....may GOD help us
..
Posted: at 23-07-2017 11:18 AM (7 years ago) | Hero
A Pervert, and an adulterous man the Church shall not harbour. It is the now the sacred duty of the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, to de robe this Priest with immediate effect. A Member of the Laity that commits similar Offence is even asked by the Congregation to give the Church a Break.
Posted: at 23-07-2017 12:15 PM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
They avoided a more embarrassing situation which could have occurred during oath taking: "If any man knows why these two should not be joined together as husband and wife, speak now or hold your peace forever". The groom should now go and settle scores with his women then make plan for a more private wedding. However, he is already married to Grace according to Igbo culture and tradition. If the other woman wants to join them, our culture also allows her to do so. I wish them well.
Posted: at 23-07-2017 06:04 PM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac
TRENDING GISTS 
Lady Calls Out JAMB After Mysterious Overnight Change in Brother’s UTME Result
Ex-AUN Provost, Professor Yusuf Attahir Baba Loses Three Children in Devastating Car Crash
Football Star, Lionel Messi-Marriage Rumours Stir Online Frenzy As Divorce Speculations Grow
El-Rufai & Peter Obi Meet at Cambridge Conference, Sparking Political Speculation Ahead Of 2027 Elections
"How My Mother’s Lover Rap3d Me" — 12 Year Old Victim Narrates Ordeal