US pastor Israel Ford announces polygynous marriage, calls monogamy unbiblical

Developing: Israel Ford, the leader of LifeWorks Church in Wickliffe, Ohio, revealed on social media that he has taken a second wife. He stated that the notion of a man having only one wife is not biblical, sparking debate online. The announcement was made during a church service and posted to his Facebook page on Sunday.

What we know

• Israel Ford heads LifeWorks Church in Ohio
• He introduced his second wife, Shakayla Ford, in a Sunday service
• Ford described monogamy as unbiblical in a Facebook post
• The story was reported by Punch, The Sun, Nigerian Eye, Vanguard and Leadership

Why it matters: The controversy touches on religious teachings and cultural views on marriage that resonate with many Nigerians and the diaspora.

Sources

1. VIDEO: US pastor marries second wife, says monogamy unbiblical – Punch, 3 h ago
2. VIDEO: US pastor announces marriage to second wife, says monogamy unbiblical – The Sun, 2 h ago
3. US Pastor Marries Second, Calls Monogamy Unbiblical – Nigerian Eye, 2 h ago
4. Video: Pastor marries 2nd wife, says ‘monogamy is unbiblical’ – Vanguard, 2 h ago
5. US Pastor Marries Second Wife, Claims Monogamy Is Unbiblical – Leadership, 9 min ago

Updates

• 26 Oct, 15:56 WAT – Summary updated with new reporting
• 26 Oct, 15:56 WAT – Now also reported by Leadership
• 26 Oct, 13:57 WAT – Now also reported by Vanguard
• 26 Oct, 13:49 WAT – Story published – 3 outlets

This page groups reports from the outlets above; headlines belong to their publishers. Summary written by our automated desk from multiple reports. How we work.

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