This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
Published on December 13, 2019, a Catholic mission school in Nigeria has sparked outrage after expelling over 20 students for practicing homosexuality.
The students, who were in junior and senior secondary school levels, were dismissed on the day they were set to begin their first term examination.
According to a local source, the school authorities organized a prayer session after reported cases of homosexual practices in the school.
During the prayer session, students who had engaged in homosexual acts were urged to confess or face 'terrible calamities.'
Some students came forward and disclosed their involvement in homosexual acts, leading to their expulsion without being allowed to take the first term examination.
A parent expressed shock and disappointment at the harsh punishment, stating that 'homosexuality shouldn't be treated so harshly, they would have committed them to prayers.'
The decision has been criticized for not aligning with the position of Pope Francis, who has noted that homosexual tendencies 'are not a sin.'
Students who confessed to homosexuality expected love and proper guidance from the school authorities, not expulsion.
A parent has appealed to the principal of the school, Rev Fr Benjamin Onyemachi, to review the decision and recall the students to continue their education.
