An Anglican priest of the Nnewi Diocese in Anambra State, Rev. Ogbuchukwu Lotanna, has resigned from his position to canvass support for polygamy.
According to The Punch, Lotanna, who is also a lawyer from Mbanagu Otolo Nnewi said his decision was based on a divine mandate.
He claimed that the divine mandate he received was to begin a movement aimed at encouraging polygamy, with a vision to reduce the rate of sexual sins in society.
The cleric pointed out that polygamy is not a sin, contrary to what is generally being preached, adding that what God hates is divorce of any type, and sleeping with another man’s wife.
He insisted that God desired men to even marry more than one wife, instead of going for someone’s wife or ladies they were not married to.
He said the church had hidden this information from members for a long time and that it was high time people were told the truth.
He encouraged men to marry their ‘side chicks’ to escape hellfire, maintaining that the only thing wrong with polygamy was to stay in a church that was against the practice “because two cannot work unless they agree.”
He also disclosed that his new movement would be called “Gideonites”, while the place of worship would be called “Gideonites’ Temple”.
He said, “It is obvious that the church, especially the Anglican Church, has been teaching against the concept of polygamy, but the Lord has opened my eyes to the reality that polygamy is not a sin.”
His colleagues expressed shock at Lotanna’s action, saying that they never expected such.
Lotanna was ordained an Anglican priest on December 22, 2019, at Cathedral Church of St. Mary’s Uruagu, Nnewi, is married to Chinyere Abigail, who hails from Umuogbu village Achara in Awka North of Anambra State.
No official reaction yet from the Anglican Diocese of Nnewi about the development, as the diocese is busy with the activities of its 2022 synod.