Pastor of the Household of God Church International Ministries, Chis Okotie, has disagreed with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the guidelines proposed for the re-opening of churches.
Worship centres have been shut in several parts of the country for months since the outbreak of the coronavirus. A re-opening is now being considered.
Okotie, in a statement on Sunday, addressed CAN headed by Reverend Samson Ayokunle which had last Thursday released a 10-point guideline to be presented to the Federal Government for approval.
As part of the guidelines, churches would be required to observe social distancing during services.
But Okotie said in his statement said, “Greetings. I am Rev Chris Okotie. I called earlier to discuss a report in today’s Sun Newspaper in which CAN recommended guidelines for the opening of churches. Social distancing in the Church of Jesus Christ is tantamount to blasphemous infidelity and an impeachment of the integrity of the word of God.”
The cleric said no true minister of God would support such initiative which, according to him, undermines the divine healing characteristic for which the church is known for.
“Healing is fundamental to the redemptive work of Jesus. To allow the idol of coronavirus to determine the scope of congregational worship in the house of God is an abomination of gargantuan proportions,” he said.
“No true minister of the gospel will succumb to such travesty of the faith. This is a summary of my objections. I have sent this message hoping that you would respond as one who bears the burden of the cross of Jesus.
“I have restrained myself from making a public outcry of this desecration and profanation out of respect for you and the CAN hierarchy. But be assured that this position is transient.”
