The Associate Parish Priest of Ss. John and Paul Oranfe, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Rev, Fr. Francis Bamigboye, has argued that as long as one is disposed to receiving the Holy Communion, the Church (priest) cannot deny such a person of such an opportunity. He however made it clear that such priviledge could be withdrawn from such an individual, once the case of abuse is established.

Rev. Fr. Francis Bamigboye made this submission while celebrating the Holy Mass on Monday 3rd of March 2024, This was particularly pointed out  immediately after the dispensation of the body and blood of Christ at Mass. This was in reaction to a melodrama that occurred, while the Priest was distributing Holy Communion to the faithfuls. It was observed that during the distribution, the Priest had skipped one of the “supposed communicants”, who even after this refused to leave the line for others to receive to sacrament. This made the Priest, Fr. Bamigboye to move a bit away from her, so as to have access to other Communicants. After the distribution and returning to the Altar, the lady referred to as Mary, followed the Priest, insisting that she must be attended to. Even when the Priest concluded to rite of cleaning the vessels used for Communion and was to return the Hosts to the Tabernacle, the lady held back his chasuble, which however did not stop the Priest from his function.

Addressing the faithful afterwards (as a way of clarifying issues), Rev. Fr. Bamigboye said that his action during the distribution of Communion was deliberate and in lie with the teachings of the Church. He insisted that at no point will the Church deny anyone of Communion except for established case of desecration/abuse. He particularly pointed out that the lady in question had been identified to have abused the privilege of communion especially with her actions and conduct. He argued that while the Church may not deny anyone such opportunity, the priest is the Custodian of the Communion.

Some weeks back, it was reported that the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Light Priest Rev. Fr. Michael Akinsode had raised alarm over the activities of the same lady around the Chaplaincy on Campus. A week ago, one of the Church Wardens of Our Lady of Perpetual Light, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife had reported to the Priest during Mass, that Mary, after receiving Communion in her palms, refused to consume it. To this, Fr. Akinsode had warned that he may stop giving communion to faithful in their palms.