A Catholic priest in Nigeria has intervened in the heated controversy surrounding Nollywood actress Ini Edo's new film, A Very Dirty Christmas. The film has faced strong objections from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which described its title as offensive and disrespectful to the Christian faith.
Priest's Condition for the Movie to Remain
Reacting to the actress's emotional public appeal, Reverend Father Fada Oluoma took to Facebook on December 23, 2025, to share his perspective. He proposed a specific condition under which the movie should not be pulled down from public view.
The priest acknowledged CAN's right to challenge what it sees as derogatory to Christianity. However, he referenced Ini Edo's own tearful defense during an Instagram Live session, where she pleaded for time and vowed that the movie's content does not mock the faith.
"Based on this, I think CAN should watch the movie," Oluoma stated. "If its content doesn't mock Christianity, she should be left alone and given time as she requested to do something about the title." He emphasized that a project in which the actress and other investors had committed significant resources should not be destroyed over the title alone.
Call for CAN to Focus on 'Weightier Matters'
Beyond the immediate controversy, the reverend father used the opportunity to call out CAN's perceived silence on what he described as more serious issues negatively affecting Christianity in Nigeria.
He urged the association to redirect its attention to "institutionalized 'dirtiness' of Christianity," which he termed the "weightier matters" compared to a movie title. Oluoma clarified that he was not asking for censorship of church doctrines but rather for CAN to use its voice against graver societal ills.
Public Reaction to the Priest's Stance
The priest's opinion has sparked mixed reactions from the online community. Some netizens agreed with his call for a focus on the movie's content rather than just its name.
Others, however, maintained that the title itself was insensitive. Comments like "Let her call it Dirty December and leave Christmas out of it" and "We should be sensitive to what people hold dear" reflected this viewpoint. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between creative expression and religious sensitivity in the Nigerian public sphere.
The controversy continues to unfold as stakeholders await CAN's potential next steps and whether Ini Edo will consider altering the film's title as she requested more time to do.
