The United Kingdom Government respects human rights with utmost responsiveness to the defense of the Oath of Allegiance against any individual(s) and country(s) in the world. In the United Kingdom, the Human Rights Act 1998 protects human rights for their citizens. The law has an impact on the human rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. Section 9 of the Act states that “the right to freedom of religion and belief is one of the rights protected by UK human rights law”. To the best of my knowledge, this law ensures that the Government can never take away some of the basic rights of people in the UK, including freedom of religion, association and legal assembly, as represented by the law. In order to respect freedom under the law, the provision in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United Kingdom states that everyone in the United Kingdom has the right to practice their religion or association.
Citizens and non-citizens alike have consistently benefited from the friendly laws enabling association and expression in the UK. The expansion of religious tolerance in the United Kingdom extended to the Celestial Church of Christ through the establishment of parishes in England, Ireland and Wales. The UK Government allows the Heavenly Church to operate at full capacity by its decree without any precautions. Celestial members held services, cantatas, harvest without any negative shortcomings on the part of the British Government.
Papa SBJ Oshoffa witnessed the establishment of parishes in the United Kingdom during his lifetime. The Diocese of the United Kingdom is the umbrella body that coordinates administrative activities across England, Ireland and Wales. The late Rev. A. A Bada & Late Rev Ajose introduced modernization to the Diocese of Great Britain as it is one of the effective Heavenly Churches of the Dioceses of Christ in the Diaspora.
Rev. E.M.F. Oshoffa inherits the Diocese of Great Britain with a view to preserving the Church’s tents and teachings as well as interpreting of Church laws to members of the diocese of Great Britain. The Yoruba-speaking members of the Celestial Church are the majority in the United Kingdom; some members had spent over 30 years in the various parishes propagating the salvation of Christ through the divine instructions of Celestial Church of Christ in Great Britain.
However, the collapse of the Systematic Approach in the diocese of Great Britain began when the Head of Diocese Most Sup Fatusin introduced an authoritarian style of leadership to its members – the Diocese Member. The dispute is basically on the result of a doctored executive list that he forged in collaboration with several staff at the pastor’s office in Nigeria. The decision prompted members in the diocese to call the Rev EMF Oshoffa directly from London to confirm the authorization of the document, which the Pastor publicly denied.
The value of leadership in Celestial Church of Christ cannot be separated from the internal crisis ever since the demise of the Pastor Founder because those who hold power always have their own personal interests above the collective interest of the Church, this few individuals interests seem to outweigh the collective interests of the Heavenly Church.
The emergence of Rev EMF Oshoffa stemmed from a decision about the struggle for leadership in the Church in 2002, despite the various factions vying for the pastoral position in our church and other health issues faced by Pastor EMF Oshofa. His faction grew with many parishes under his command.
The 2002 film stars Most Sup Fatusin, who felt uncomfortable with the faction of Rev EMF Oshoffa displayed his rejection mode. He held meetings with church members during this period of the campaign against the Ketu faction. He campaigned against the state of emergency Rev. EMF Oshoffa; Only the timely intervention of M/C Awosika persuaded him to join the team of EMF Pastor Oshoffa, with whom he (Most Sup Fatusin) later fought against the same woman. He accused M/C Awosika of several false accusations which led to her removal from the administration of the Diocese of Great Britain. Also during Most Sup Olarinde has Head of Great Britain Diocese, some cabals led by Most Sup Fatusin advocated for immediate dismissal of Baba Olarinde over allegations of embezzlement which could not be proven. The diocese later got divided into two under the leadership of Most Sup Olarinde on one side and the other under Most Sup Fatusin.
The Pastor announced the unification of the diocese in 2018 after Baba Olarinde was transferred back to Nigeria 🇳🇬 and Most Sup Fatusin pronounced as the New diocese Head. After two years or so in Office, Most Sup Fatusin issued a forged letter with the pastor' letterhead listing seven names that had been newly added to the executive governing council. document. Timely intervention of some members aborted his plan. The Pastor, clearly distanced himself from such evil act when later contacted. Then the members felt that the Pastor should discipline him, which he pleaded never to involve himself in such negative stereotype action.
Again, in 2023, Most Sup Fatusin takes the same action of appointing executive members without pastor recognition after a series of meetings; Pastor denied the authenticity of the letter, while the Pastor summoned Most Sup Fatusin to Imeko on May 23, 2023 for proper questioning. To the astonishment of the public, the spokesperson of the Church, Sup Evang Kayode Ajala, issued a Press Statement informing the church member that the pastor had formally approved Most Sup Fatusin to continue has the Head the Diocese of Great Britain. However, the Press Statement did not fit into the usual routine of the pastor's office. It is known that V/S/E (Professor) Adeniyi, the head of the Church Administration always writes an official letter signed by the Pastor while Sup Evang Kayode Ajala will publish it in his Press release; but this routine was never followed in the case of Most Sup Fatusin.
This clearly shows the ineffectiveness of some factors in the Pastor Office which has completely usurping the structure of the Church from the Pastor Office. It a fact the diocese of the UK faces apathetic leadership adhering to the unacceptable vision of Most Sup Fatusin. The Diocese is completely divided with some Progressive Shepherds demanding for a proper restructuring of the Diocese while these Shepherds are advocating for urgent Pastoral intervention to restore the Diocese to its original status, where integrity, togetherness and accountability operate. British law is clear as to religious beliefs, the Head of Diocese must respect the position of English law in allowing public opinion to leave the stage with honour.
Thanks for your article. However it would have been very much better if your crew had visited baba Fatunsi to confirm his own side of the story. For now it appears your story is one sided. Please balance your article.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Evangelist Folorunsho.
London.