Abia Church Calls Off Wedding Due to Pregnant Bride
Yesterday, at the Assemblies of God Church, Ehere, Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia state, confusion ensued as Reverend Eze Ogba, the church priest, refused to officiate the wedding ceremony of a groom and bride based on reports of the bride being pregnant.
The couple, Mr. Isreal Kennedy and his bride, Miss Rose, along with their relatives, had gathered at the church for the ceremony scheduled to take place after the church service.
Nevertheless, the church insisted on conducting a pregnancy test on the bride, revealing her pregnancy. Subsequently, the priest declared the cancellation of the wedding.
This development caused confusion within the church, with both families making desperate attempts to persuade the church board to reverse its decision. Meanwhile, the priest interviewed the bride, who pleaded her innocence.
In response, the families of the groom and bride sought an alternative nearby church to officiate the wedding, which also hosted the reception ceremony.
A church member, who preferred not to disclose their name, mentioned that it is a tradition of the Assemblies of God Church not to officiate weddings for pregnant brides, irrespective of their circumstances.
He explained, "It is a longstanding tradition of the Assemblies of God Church not to officiate weddings for pregnant brides; this is not a recent development. The groom and bride were aware that the church could not solemnize their marriage due to the bride's existing pregnancy. They were advised to proceed with the ceremony after the service, pending the results of the pregnancy test ordered by the church. Following the test, which confirmed the bride's pregnancy, the church declared the wedding canceled."
Some church members, considering the substantial expenses incurred by the families in preparing for the ceremony, expressed the opinion that the church should have proceeded with the ceremony and subsequently taken disciplinary action against the groom and bride.
Nevertheless, both the groom and his bride faced suspension in accordance with the church's Constitution.
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