On May 15, 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Ogbomoso, the Catholic Diocese of Oyo witnessed a unique celebration of love and faith as Olori Clara Oluwatoyin Abodunrin, a devout Catholic, was joined in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony with Oba Nurudeen Oloruntoyin Abodunrin; a Muslim Fulani traditional ruler and the Jooro Fulani of Ogbomosoland.
The wedding, which took place with the full approval and blessing of the Church, reflects the Catholic Church’s carefully guided process for interfaith marriages, also known as marriage with desperation from disparity of cult.
Interreligious marriage refers to a union between a Catholic and someone who is not a baptized Christian — such as a Muslim, traditional worshiper, or adherent of another faith. In the Catholic Church, this kind of union is formally known as a marriage with with desperation from disparity of cult. Because such marriages involve significant differences in belief, the Church requires a dispensation from the impediment of disparity of cult, which must be granted by the Local Ordinary, the bishop, after a thorough assessment.
Speaking in an interview shortly after the ceremony, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Olabode, the parish priest who prepared the couple, shared insights into the rigorous pastoral and canonical processes required for such marriages.
“The Church approaches this kind of union with both compassion and caution,” he said. “We scrutinize the couple’s intentions deeply to ensure they understand what this union means in the light of faith.”
He explained that the couple must be thoroughly catechized . “If either of them does not understand what a marriage with desperation from disparity of cult entails, it is our responsibility to teach them — in Yoruba, Igbo, English, or whatever language they best understand,” Fr. Ferdinand Olabode said.
Two main conditions are mandatory before the Bishop can grant the required dispensation: First, the Catholic party must remain committed to their faith. And secondly, the couple must promise to raise their children in the Catholic Church.
Upon agreement, the couple undergoes a six-month marriage course, followed by: Three consecutive Sunday banns published in the parish and else where the couple as livened for a considerable amount of time; Civil registration of the marriage, a traditional wedding ceremony confirming both families’ approval and support.
Fr. Ferdinand Olabode, emphasised that the couple also completed a spiritual retreat, which helped them reflect on their responsibilities and the sacramental dimension of their marriage. Before the Church wedding, an official petition for dispensation was submitted to the bishop. In granting the dispensation, the bishop considered the pastor’s testimony the couple’s preparedness. In the is polygamous context — the consent of the other spouses of the non-baptized party was also sought . “This is to ensure there are no hidden tensions and that the marriage is entered into freely, faithfully, and with respect to all involved,” Fr. Ferdinand noted.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. David Ayodeji remarked: “We are celebrating love. God is love, and love is God. When a man and woman are joined in love, they become one — just as we are all one in Christ. Love is not proud, nor boastful, and not resentful. Marriage calls for mutual understanding, sacrifice, and above all, prayer. Just as Jesus was present at the Wedding at Cana, we invite Him into this home through faith and prayer.”
He concluded by urging the faithful to continue in supporting the couple with prayers and encouragement.
The bride, Olori Clara Oluwatoyin Abodunrin expressed Gratitude to God and the Church, During an exclusive interview, the newly crowned Olori Clara expressed her heartfelt gratitude to God Almighty and to the Bishop, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, for his unwavering support over the past 25 years. She recalled how, during her time as the CYON Secretary for the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, Bishop Badejo stood by her, offering both spiritual and financial support.
Olori Clara also shared one of her long-standing prayer points — to marry a good man who would allow her to remain steadfast in the Catholic faith. She joyfully declared that this prayer has been fulfilled.
In a separate interview, the new husband, Oba Nurudeen Oloruntoyin Abodunrin, the Jooro Fulani of Ogbomosoland and a devout Muslim, expressed his appreciation to the Catholic Church. He acknowledged and thanked Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, for approving their marriage.
He also expressed gratitude to Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Olabode for guiding and teaching them about the Catholic faith. He offered prayers for everyone involved and joyfully stated, “Today is the happiest day of my life. The blessings of a Catholic faith-based marriage mark a new beginning for me — one I will never forget.”
The celebration was graced by notable clergy and religious, including: Very Rev. Fr. Boniface Wuraola, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Olabode, Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. David Ayodeji. The Diocesan Coordinator of Catholic Youth organization of Nigeria, Rev. Sr Elizabeth Agwu USOA and Rev. Sr. Elizabeth Anieke of the USOA also graced the occasion..
As the chief shepherd of the Diocese, bishop Emmanuel Badejo expressed his best wishes and prayers for the couple for their success.
He stated that in this jubilee year of hope, it is important for the Church as an institution and the faithful to build budges across different facet of life among regions and among peoples and among institutions, noting that “only this approach can bring harmony and peace and progress to the fractured and divided worlds in which we lived today.”
“Nigeria as a country certainly needs courageous and committed people like this new couple to witness to this need and reality. in fidelity to the gospel of Jesus Christ,” the bishop added.