Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, DD, DSc
PRESIDENT of the Loveworld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has criticized church leaders who endorsed the new guidelines for reopening of churches for worship.
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in conjunction with various state government including Lagos and Federal Capital Teritory Administration (FCTA) held meetings with religious leaders while rolling out guidelines and modalities towards reopening of religious gatherings.
Part of the modalities and guidelines is for churches to ensure they check the temperature of members before they enter the church, observe social distancing, have only one hour service, suspension of weekly activities amongst others.
By the social distancing, taking of Holy Communion and other activities that would require closeness and physical contacts including confessions as practiced in Roman Catholic churches are affected until reviewed.
In his speech during a virtual service on Saturday, Oyakhilome knocked church leaders who endorsed the guidelines, and accused them of pursing personal interests against the Christendom by the continued lockdown on churches.
”One of the reasons you still have lockdown of churches in several countries right now is not even the government. You will be amazed. It is church organizations that are keeping many churches locked up till now.
“The so called advisers of government. The government invited certain church leaders, consulting with them whether to open the churches or not to, they advised the government to keep the churches locked because of their own fear, greed and jealousy. These are their problems, nothing else. And they kept those churches locked.
“But their days are numbered. Believe me.
“That is what has happened in many countries. The government wants to open the churches and religious leaders, particularly church leaders have advised government to keep churches locked.
“They are the ones sending out modalities for reopening to churches under shameful requirement. I wonder. Are they taking after Jesus? Are they taking after the apostles?
“Church leaders are telling church members no communion, no physical touch and if anybody is going to lay hands on the sick, they have to wear a glove. Did it happen in the church of Jesus Christ?
“You would think such an instruction came from sinners for which we should laugh. But to know that some Christian leaders would append their signatures to such document and send to churches. It is another fiasco”, he said.