– Bishop Oyedepo against CAMA bill, Other Christian leaders voice opinions
Bishop David Oyedepo and other prominent pastors have all reacted to the newly proposed Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA bill passed earlier this month.
The man of God who is known to never hold back when it comes to voicing his opinion on his dealings with the government bashed the new policy and argued that it would be violating the religious freedom every citizen should have.
During his service in Canaanland on Sunday, Oyedepo warned the federal government not to try what it was planning to do with the churches, saying Nigerian government was going too far.
“In the document, they said the registrar-general can remove the trustees without recourse to the court. Don’t try it. This must be from somebody who woke up from the wrong side of the bed after dreaming. The person must have drafted that aspect in the bill as their custom is.
“In the document, they said the registrar-general can remove the trustees without recourse to the court. Don’t try it. This must be from somebody who woke up from the wrong side of the bed after dreaming. The person must have drafted that aspect in the bill as their custom is.
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“I am 51 years old in this thing (Christianity), don’t try it. I have been with Jesus for some time and I am sent as a prophet to nations. That a minister can remove the trustees and close the accounts of the church: when the history of this time will be written, many will be ashamed to be Nigerians except the Church” Bishop Oyedepo said
Also reacting to the news is Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins who says the CAMA act in itself is not a bad move but has some sections that would in-fact violate some basic human rights of Nigerians and churches at large.
According to him, whether the umbrella body of Christianity in the country, CAN or its affiliate, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN was consulted before the enactment of the Act into law, he was not aware, “but what is clear is that the Federal Government must tread with caution and do as not to be seen to be suffocating the religious bodies and non-governmental associations or societies.
“Removing a Board of Trustees and replacing it with government’s own is a serious violation of religious freedom,” the Catholic prelate stated through the Director of Social Communication, Rev. Father Anthony Godonu, noting that the Catholic Church has no problem about transparency and accountability.
“We are well structured and always answerable to the Ecclesiastical Authorities including the head of the universal church, the Catholic Pontiff, the Pope.” He concluded.
The chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos chapter Bishop Sola Ore
while reacting to the news said the body is still going through the Commercial and Allied Matters Acts and would take appropriate steps in days to come.
He also maintained that “only the national PFN can comment on it authoritatively. The idea of going to court or not still has to be done by the national PFN and perhaps CAN.”
He expressed regret that the bill which had taken years of debate and a public hearing was eventually passed into law. “I think the challenge arose because our voice was not strong enough in presenting our own side during the public hearing. But this is not to blame anybody. We are certainly going to look at the option of challenging it in a law court,” Bishop Ore said.
The bishop also went on to share his opinion on the matter while also advising church leaders, he said; “We are not called to strife. Our duty as church leaders is to ensure that the right things are done and that those we are leading do not see us as renegades. At the same time we are not going to allow the government to delve into the matter it knows little about.
“it is easy to compare Nigeria with the UK when it suits the government. But the question is, is the government in Nigeria behaving the way the UK government is behaving? Nobody is saying the church is afraid of scrutiny. I am one of those who go against manipulation and financial recklessness in the church.
“So it is not about not wanting to open our books to the public. What we are saying is that spiritual matters sometimes are not what could be subjected to debate. Personally, I will lead a crusade against fraudulent pastors who take advantage of the people.
“But then we can’t allow undue meddlesomeness in the way the church is being run. That is the area we may have to challenge in the law court. Whatever control we are talking about, the church is well-positioned to control itself.”
While other men of God are expected to voice there opinion on the issue soon enough, and from the stand point, many may join Bishop Oyedepo against CAMA bill, it is yet to be known if the government would take there appeal into consideration and re-adjust the bill but all fingers are crossed as the church awaits response from the government.
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[…] public interest. Apostle Suleman has since joined the growing list of prominent pastors like Bishop Oyedepo, Pastor Adeboye and more who have all openly condemned the move. While preaching […]