The leadership of Celestial Church of Christ, CCC, Worldwide has condemned one of its pastors, Francis Taiwo, who was accused of chaining his nine-year-old son in Ota, Ogun State for about a month.
The boy was rescued by security operatives in Ogun State last Friday.
The CCC, under the leadership of His Eminence, Pastor Mobiyina Oshoffa, in a statement signed by Superior Evangelist (Prof) Bola A. Akinterinwa, who is the Secretary, BOT, CCC Worldwide, described the act as “dastardly”.
Pastor Oshoffa noted that the church was “compelled to issue this statement to correct whatever misconceptions that might have been created about the church, in the minds of the general public, by this shameful and totally unacceptable incident.”
He stressed that the CCC “does not condone child abuse and violence of any form. We recognise and place a high value on our youths and children as we do acknowledge them as the salt of the earth and a vital part of the future of any given stratum of society, organisation, church or nation.”
Speaking further in the statement, Pastor Oshoffa pointed out that, “Our belief is that children therefore must be raised in an atmosphere of love, Christian values and reasonable and acceptable parental discipline.”
He explained that, “The fact that the said Prophet Francis Taiwo was arrested by the Police with the help of his church members lends credence to the fact that our church abhors child abuse, domestic violence and inhumanity of any form.”
“We commend the NSCDC and the Nigerian Police for a job promptly well done, and wish to assure the general public that the Celestial Church of Christ is already taking a further look into the matter.
“The Celestial Church of Christ avails itself of this opportunity to thank the general public for its concerns. May the good Lord be with you all, Amen,” the statement said.
The suspect, Francis Taiwo, is the Shepherd in Charge, Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Key of Joy Parish, Ajiwo at Ajibawo in Ado Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State.
