Bishop denounces extortion of money by pastors

NIGERIA: Bishop Condemns Extortion of Money from Followers
NAIROBI, November 10, 2009 ( CISA) -A Catholic bishop from Nigeria has condemned some spiritual and political leaders who have the habit of extorting money from their followers and called on them to desist from that ungodly attitude and practice.

Bishop Michael Fagun of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti was speaking on November 4 at Oyo in his homily at the 75th birthday anniversary and canonical retirement of Bishop Julius Adelakun.

Bishop Fagun implored them to use the moral rectitude of retired Bishop Babatunde Adelakun of the Diocese of Oyo, South West Nigeria as a parameter for behaviour.

He further challenged Nigerian spiritual leaders to find a role model in the life style of the retiring Bishop Adelakun.

He said, “Many so called pastors of some Christian churches founded by some charismatic leaders make ridicule of the Christian religion thorough their monetary exploitation of the credulous and gullible.

Bishop Fagun, also regretted that it was unfortunate that a few of the Catholic priests who lack authenticity in their calling, try to make money by imitating the false prophets with the pretext of working some bogus miracles.

The clergyman, who has also been the bishop of Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria since 1971 advised political leaders in Nigeria to lead the people without milking them dry.

Recalling Adelakun achievements, the bishop of Ekiti said that Adelakun’s ministry had been people oriented without being self-oriented, decent living without being affluent in the midst of poverty stricken populace.

Adelakun retired from the Catholic Diocese of old Oyo where he served for 22 years and that of new Oyo for 15 years respectively following the creation of Osogbo diocese from the old Oyo Diocese.

“Adelakun facilitated the setting up of eleven nursery and primary schools, seven secondary schools, one hospital, two medical centres, one eye clinic and two trade centres for his people.”

Archbishop Felix Job of Ibadan Archdiocese also commended Adelakun for his selfless service to the diocese and the development of the Catholic faith in the area in the last 45 years in the priesthood.

Bishop Adelakun in his remarks expressed appreciation to priests, laity and donor agencies that assisted him for 37 years as a bishop in the development of the old and new dioceses.

He said that he would devote his retirement to the development of the Bishop Adelakun Foundation (BAF) a non governmental organization devoted to the improvement of the physically challenged, the indigent, widows and orphans.

Source: CISA