By Emeka Blast 
Priest Steps Down from Clergy Duties After Falling in Love
In a dramatic twist that has sent ripples through the Catholic community in Lagos, Father Emmanuel Okoye, a 38-year-old priest at St. Augustine’s Parish in Ikeja, has resigned from his priestly duties after falling deeply in love with a parishioner, Ms. Chioma Nwankwo, a 32-year-old nurse and choir member. The announcement, made during Sunday Mass on July 27, 2025, left congregants stunned, with many whispering, “Person wey God call, woman call am back!” The phrase, trending on X, captures the mix of humor, shock, and empathy swirling around the story.
Father Okoye, ordained in 2012 and known for his fiery homilies and youth outreach programs, cited “personal reasons” in his resignation letter to the Archdiocese of Lagos, as confirmed by Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins. However, sources close to the priest revealed to The Guardian Nigeria that Okoye’s decision stemmed from his romantic relationship with Nwankwo, which began developing after months of close collaboration on the parish’s health outreach initiative. “He tried to fight the feelings, but love was stronger,” a parish council member disclosed on condition of anonymity. “He said he couldn’t live a double life.”
The relationship came to light when a fellow priest noticed Okoye’s frequent visits to Nwankwo’s home in Ojodu, sparking concerns within the clergy. Following counseling sessions with senior priests and a meeting with Archbishop Martins, Okoye chose to step down to pursue a dispensation from his vow of celibacy, a process that requires Vatican approval under Canon 290 of the Code of Canon Law. “I have fallen in love, and I want to do things the right way,” Okoye reportedly told confidants, echoing sentiments expressed by former Spanish bishop Xavier Novell, who resigned in 2021 for love.
During his emotional farewell at Mass, attended by over 800 parishioners, Okoye, visibly moved, said, “My heart remains with St. Augustine’s, but I must follow where God is leading me now. Please pray for me.” Nwankwo, a soft-spoken soprano in the choir, was absent from the service but later posted on Instagram, “God’s plans are mysterious. Thank you for your prayers.” The post, liked by over 2,000 followers, drew mixed reactions, with some praising her courage and others questioning her role in the priest’s departure.
The resignation has reignited debates about clerical celibacy in the Catholic Church, a discipline mandatory for Latin Rite priests since the 12th century but not a doctrinal requirement. Reverend Father Paul Okonkwo, a theologian at the Catholic Institute of West Africa, noted, “Celibacy is a gift, but it’s also a human challenge. Cases like Father Okoye’s remind us to approach such matters with compassion, not judgment.” On X, @NaijaGist quipped, “God call Father Emma, but Chioma’s jollof rice call am back! 😅 #LoveWeyPassHolyWater,” while @CatholicFaithNG urged, “Let’s pray for Father Okoye and respect his choice.”
Parishioners expressed a range of emotions. Mrs. Ngozi Eze, a 55-year-old trader, lamented, “Father Emma was like my son. Why couldn’t he resist temptation?” In contrast, 24-year-old student Tunde Adebayo said, “He’s human. If he loves her, let him live his truth. Celibacy no be by force.” The Archdiocese has appointed Father Joseph Adeyemi as interim parish priest, urging unity and promising support for Okoye’s transition.
Okoye’s case is not isolated. Globally, priests have left the ministry for love, including Father Dan Murtah, who resigned in Ireland in 2016 after meeting his fiancée at a fundraiser, and Father Kevin Hartley, who left in 2018 for a woman he met in Rwanda. In Nigeria, similar cases, though less publicized, have occurred, with some priests quietly seeking laicization to marry. The process can take years, and Okoye faces an uncertain future, barred from performing sacraments unless reinstated or laicized.
The story has also sparked lighthearted banter online, with @LagosVibes joking, “Father Emma don trade cassock for Chioma’s love. Na real ‘In Sickness and in Health’!” Yet, beneath the humor lies a deeper question about the Church’s expectations of priests. As one X user, @TruthSeeker234, posted, “Love is God’s gift too. Why must priests choose between love for God and love for a woman?”
