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Church Of England Set To Ordain First Nigerian Gay Priest

Published

6 years ago

March 24, 2019

The founder of Nigeria’s first gay church, Rowland Olajide Macaulay, fled the country as soon as the National Assembly enacted a law prohibiting such anti-social behav-iours.

Founder of the first gay church in Nigeria – House of Rainbow – so named most likely because the colours of the rainbow is same as that of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender LGBTIQ Movement, Row-land Olajide Macaulay who fled Nigeria to escape a 14-year jail sentence may soon be ordained priest by the Church of England in the United Kingdom.

Homosexuality is a topic that sparked controversy in Nigeria and a majority of the population was voci-ferously against acts of homosexuality which now attracts a 14-year jail sent-ence in accordance to Nigerian law.
The founder of Nigeria’s first gay church, House of Rainbow, Rowland Olajide Macaulay, a reverend who sees himself as an activist fled the country as soon as the National Assembly enacted a law prohibiting such anti-social behav-iours.

Although it was founded in Nigeria in September 2006 by Macaulay, Nigeria’s first openly gay pastor, there is still no record of a physical church structure for House of Rainbow on Nigerian soil.

Macaulay ran the church from his home in Jakande Estate, Isolo, Lagos and a “worship space” in Ojodu Berger, Lagos with about 32 people in attendance at the first meeting which took place at Ikeja Capital City Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Macaulay now 53 years old recently stirred the horn-est’s nest as he shared an invitation card to his ordi-nation on his social media handle and wrote: “It is a delight to share this news; I am to be ordained Angli-can priest in the Church of England in June 2019.

“Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait I say, on the Lord” Psalm 27:14

Efforts to get the leadership of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) which has vehemently opposed the practice, for its comments on the new development have proved abortive.

Macaulay was born on No-vember 4, 1965. He is a pastor and ordained mini-ster, an LGBTQ, human rights and HIV/AIDS acti-vist, community builder, queer theologian, lawyer, and parent.

Macaulay founded House of Rainbow, catering to the LGBTQ community, and currently serves as its executive director.
Macaulay hails from a family of clerics. August Olakunle Macaulay, who is his father is an acclaimed theologian, principal, and also founded the United Bible University. He is also the president of the Asso-ciation of Christian Theolo-gians in Nigeria.