/ 1 January 2002

Church issues veiled threat to half-naked brides

ANGLICAN church officials in Nigeria said on Sunday they plan to inspect wedding dresses ahead of the big day, saying too many women were going down the aisle “half-naked.”

“We have noticed with disgust the way many brides and their bridesmaids dress during weddings,” said Peter Adebiyi, the Anglican Bishop of Lagos diocese, in the Guardian newspaper.

“Anybody who does not present her dress before the authorities and who brings an unacceptable dress on the day of marriage will have that marriage cancelled,” he said.

Adebiyi said that while grooms were generally well appointed for their stroll to the altar, many of the women were virtually “half-naked.”

“Marriage is a sacred institution and it must not be desecrated… marriage is not meant to be a fashion parade.” – AFP