Archbishop Osazee Williams, International Secretary of the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops in London, has publicly supported Nigerian preacher Dr. Abel Damina’s controversial view on women wearing trousers, declaring that the Bible does not forbid it.
Damina’s recent sermon, which went viral, challenged the common interpretation of Deuteronomy 22:5. He clarified that the passage has been misapplied over time, emphasizing that it condemned cross-dressing, not specific clothing styles like trousers or skirts. He warned against interpreting scripture outside its historical and cultural setting.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Archbishop Williams endorsed Damina’s interpretation, urging Christians to engage scripture with depth rather than relying on surface readings. He argued that cultural contexts define clothing, citing men wearing skirts in Scotland and wrappers in Nigeria as examples.
“Trousers are not inherently sinful,” Williams said. “In fact, women often benefit more from wearing them due to comfort and flexibility.”
He added that clothing should not determine moral judgment. While advocating for modest dressing, he cautioned women against dressing in ways that could send misleading signals. “When you arrive in a city, how do you identify a prostitute? Often, it’s based on their appearance. So if you dress like one, even innocently, society may misjudge you,” he said.
Williams advised women to dress responsibly and confidently, saying they can look elegant and smart in trousers without violating any biblical law.