From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Reactions have trailed the cancellation of couple’s wedding by a pastor of a church in Aba, Abia State over reports the bride was pregnant.
A Pastor of the Assemblies of God Church, Ehere, Ogbor Hill, Aba, identified as Reverend Eze Ogba was said to have declined to wed a groom and bride, over alleged information he gathered that the bride was pregnant before the wedding day.
It was gathered that the couple, Mr. Isreal Kennedy and his bride, Miss Rose, their relations as well as invited guests had gathered at the church for the wedding ceremony slated to hold after church service.
Ironically, the church was said to have ordered a pregnancy test to be conducted on the bride which later revealed that she was pregnant.
Following the development, the priest of the Church announced cancellation ofthe wedding.
It was further gathered that as the bride maintained her innocence, both families made frantic efforts to have the board of the church rescind the decision, but to no avail.
The families of the groom and bribe were said to have gone to a nearby church which performed the wedding, and also hosted the reception ceremony.
Reacting, a member of the Assemblies of God Church who wouldn’t want his name in print said it was the tradition of the Assemblies of God Church not to wed pregnant brides, no matter their status.
“It is the tradition of the Assemblies of God Church not to wed pregnant brides, it is not a new thing. The groom and bride who presented themselves for the wedding knew that the Church cannot join them in matrimony because the bride was already pregnant.
“They were to be joined after the service when the result of the test ordered by the church would have been ready. After conducting the pregnancy test on the bride, the church found out that she was pregnant and announced that the wedding was cancelled.”
Another member of the church who also did not want his name in print said the church took the decision which has been in place over the years as it was viewed by the bride getting pregnant before wedding, they committed fornication.
Others who reacted were of the view the church should have considered the huge amount spent by the families in preparing for the ceremony and perform the wedding ceremony, but later discipline the groom and the bride if they had contravened any of the church’s laws.
Investigations revealed that both the groom and his bride were later suspended in accordance with the Constitution of the Church.