A regrettable historical misstep has once again been taken by the Pastor, as he has made a controversial decision regarding the first parish in the Europe. Through a memo issued by the Church’s Spokesman, it was announced that Bayo King has been demoted from Venerable Superior Evangelist to Assistant Superior Evangelist. This decision is likely to exacerbate the existing crisis within the Parish, rather than offering a resolution.
In September 2023, during a visit to CCC Harton Street National Headquarters London, members of the Parish was prevented from addressing the Pastor by certain individuals. This disrespectful act went unpunished, leaving the Pastor unable to rectify the situation.
The National Headquarters London service on the 3rd of March 2024 was marred by controversy when M/S/E Fatusin mobilized the London Metropolitan Police in an attempt to halt a Sunday Glorious Service. Despite this disruption, the Pastor failed to composed and control the situation. However, instead of seeking genuine reconciliation with the Parish Elders, the Pastor chose to overlook the individuals responsible for obstructing the Sunday service.
In a wrong move, the Pastor decided to demote VSE Bayo King, who had been enduring bullying from those who should have been upholding the Church’s standards. This decision mirrors a similar incident at CCC Calvary Parish, Lagos in 2022, where the Pastor’s actions were met with criticism for creating internal strife within the Church.
For more than 10 months, the Pastor has not communicated with CCC Harton Street National Headquarters in London in an effort to establish a framework for finding solutions to the crisis or creating a platform for the Parish to express their views. It was the Most Superior Evangelist Nunayon who brought the Pastor to CCC Harton Street Parish in 2007, where he urged the Parish to accept Rev EMF Oshoffa as their Pastor. However, those who should have helped resolve the dispute chose to part ways with the Pastor due to the uncomfortable system of church administration.
On the 16th of June 2024, CCC Harton Street National Headquarters London elected a new Parochial Committee to oversee the Parish’s administration. This decision will serve as a litmus test for the newly parochial committee leadership and ability to confront any challenges or opposition, particularly from Nigeria.
The memo also mentioned VSE Alagbado whom the concerned shepherds and church workers had chosen to lead them as the Leader of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Diocese. The Pastor denied giving his approval but failed to mention that he gave his consent to payment of pastoral returns by the same group to Ketu since June 2023. The shepherds who have the right, under the United Kingdom laws to determine who they associate with.
It is important for the Pastor and his aides to understand that majority of Parishes in the Western world had registered independently, making the authority powerless to enforce any laws that would divide us more as a Church.