I was saddened to learn of the unfortunate helicopter crash in Osun that claimed the life of Mrs. Josephine Damilola-Kuteyi this weekend. However, my concern about the incident deepened upon learning of her position as a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church Of God (RCCG).
I was saddened to learn of the unfortunate helicopter crash in Osun that claimed the life of Mrs. Josephine Damilola-Kuteyi this weekend. However, my concern about the incident deepened upon learning of her position as a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church Of God (RCCG).
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Although some may view this write-up as insensitive, especially due to its proximity to the passing of the aforementioned, it is by no means intended in such light. I merely find it poignant to point out the fact that another Redeemed Pastor has hit the news under puzzling circumstances.
As a committed Christian, the rate and regularity at which Redeemed Pastors are featured in the news, usually for unfavourable reasons, is most distressing. Isolated incidents do not give credence for any resounding conclusion but the consistency at which such news enters the public domain, whether the issue on ground is money-laundering, immoral behaviour or untimely death, calls for concern.
In the last few years alone, I have read numerous reports of Redeemed Pastors ending their life journeys in strange and often undignified manners. I recall the case of a Pastor murdered by gunshot in America last year, and that of three clerics killed when armed robbers attacked their parish. Indeed, Redeemed Pastor Timothy Akanni also died in a plane crash some years ago after which it was discovered he had secretly been harbouring a second wife and was involved in a N7billion fraud. Some may concede that in such issues fate cannot be changed but I am of the opinion that pastors operating under the power and protection of the Almighty should not leave their earthly assignments in such a crude fashion.
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When it comes to acquisition of monetary resources through fraudulent means, the number of cases is too significant to merely write off as the greed and waywardness of some individuals. High profile incidents such as that of Erastus Akingbola, Cecilia Ibru, Bunmi Oni and Chika Mbonu only serve to show how deeply rooted the issue is. Such exposures are merely the tip of an iceberg, a problem prevalent within the very structural fabric of RCCG and they way in which their pastors are ordained into ministry.
In the same vein, the number of those who have been caught in acts of immorality and infidelity is most unsettling. I learn RCCG’s senior pastor in Spain has been dismissed due to unscrupulous behaviour with two of his female members. Such antics and attitude give a bad name not only to the ministry but also to Christianity in general. For instance, it is unusual to hear similar accounts among our Muslim brethren and leaders.
Some time ago, the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye was linked to a scandalous import duty waiver during the regime of Obsanjo said to have cost Nigeria N20 Billion in revenue loss between 2006 and 2007. Such reports, coupled with countless others, cannot be simply overlooked. Even the image depicting our esteemed President Goodluck Jonathan on his knees before Pastor Adeboye poses serious questions. For which reason did GEJ go to receive such? Was it really to receive prayer for Divine protection or due to the popularity of Daddy GO and the political potential thereof?
I am by no means insinuating that every Redeemed Pastor falls into these categories and there are no good works being done by the church. I do believe however that something is seriously wrong with the process in which people join the Redeemed fold as pastors, hence the high level of ungodly incidents being discovered within their ranks.
Although I know this article will surely attract condemnation amidst those strongly-opinionated individuals who will surely spout the ‘touch not my anointed’ argument, I only want to highlight my concerns. It is with a spirit of humility that I write this and pray the issues raised will be treated with according respect and reverent consideration, so that people with atheistic perspectives will not find more reasons to view Christianity and its ministers in a bad light.
-Emeka Igwe, Lagos
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