Beware of the NGOs! Bishop Oyinlola warns clergymen

A renowned Bishop in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Irele, The Rt Rev. Joshua Oyinlola, has dropped a stern warning to clergymen to beware of the "No Go Options" in the church ministry which he termed the acronym, NGO.

This warning was given at the seminar held in the weeklong activities to mark the 2022 Priests Appreciation Week (PAW) held at the Cathedral church of St. Andrews Imola Owo on Tuesday 6th December. 

Speaking on the theme "sustaining the clergy collar's whiteness", Bishop Oyinlola highlighted the NGOs to include, drunkenness, undue relationship with parishioners, passion for wealth, fornication and adultery, among others. "These are dangerous options to trade with in ministry!  Clergymen, you must watch out for these things in your ministry if you want to sustain your collar's whiteness", Bishop Oyinlola warned! 

Oyinlola, a cleric of over 46 years church ministry experience lamented on the way many church members treat their priests during occasional services as if the Priests, especially vicars are at their mercies, with neglected welfare packages while expecting collared priests to also be dressed to occasions where all guests are being entertained. "Church members, give honours to men of God. They all deserve to be treated with dignity. Ensure adequate care and support for clergymen to sustain their collars' whiteness", Bishop Oyinlola exclaimed! 

He further encouraged the priests wives to support and encourage their husbands to keep them flying in their ministry. "If you disrespect your husbands in the church, you have handed a blemish to their collars, Oyinlola added.

Meanwhile, in his own session, Dr. Kehinde Adenegan, a St. Patrick Anglican church Ijebu Owo parishioner, and an Ondo-based Anglican parishioner who is the second speaker, addressed the participants on sustaining the clergy collar's whiteness: Laity responsibilities

Using Exodus 17:10-12 as referenced point, Kehinde Adenegan urged the house of Laity to give maximum support for clergymen as exemplified in the passage where Moses' hands were supported while performing his leadership roles. He warned church members not to attempt to take the responsibilities of the priests but rather in supportive and advisory modes. "If anyone makes attempt to consciously or unconsciously defile the garment and collar of any priest, be ready for God's judgement", Adenegan placed the warning. 

Adenegan, an experienced church warden, a one time Archdeaconry treasurer, Ondo Diocese treasurer and a serving Ondo provincial treasurer, extolling the virtues of the Priests in the Diocese and across the communion, advocated healthy relationship between wardens and priests to make their works progress. He warned against "pulling down" attitudes by house of Laity. He enjoined members to pray, support, encourage and do everything humanly possible to sustain the ministry of priests.

Answering one of the questions asked, Adenegan urged church members not to work against priests transfers. "Laity! You don't know what the Bishop knows nor what the priests know. Hence, give them chance to work as being led by God", Adenegan reiterated. 

Earlier, in the opening remark of the host Bishop and the Captain of the Lord's army of the Diocese of Owo, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Ayodeji Fagbemi, he remarked that the priests appreciation program aligns with the cardinal mission of the Diocese where priests welfare is taken as paramount.

Bishop Fagbemi appreciated the guest speakers. He lauded the virtues of the Lord Bishop of Irele Diocese, Rt. Rev. Joshua Oyinlola for his leadership qualities and exemplary life in the ministry. "Thank you Baba Irele for coming around from that distance even before the commencement of the program", Bishop Fagbemi added.

The program was well attended by priests of the Diocese and their loving wives, and other church workers with many lay members. Present were Mama Owo, Mrs. Florence Ebunoluwa Fagbemi, well dressed in adorable fitted Ankara, Ch. Abiodun Asiwaju, the PAW committee chairman, the Dean of the Cathedral, The Very Revd. Raphael Agboola, Olori Agaun, Mr. Samuel Adewumi, Hon. Clement Odo, other notable Archdeacons from the various Archdeaconries, among others.

Remarkably, the program was spiced with a special rendition from the cathedral choir , rendered in Owo language to appreciate the priests and the Lord Bishop. Equally, Dr. Kehinde Adenegan made a special open appreciation and presentation of gifts to the Ven. 'Bunmi Aladegbami and Mrs. Agboola (wife of the cathedral Dean). Adenegan firmly remarked the significant roles Ven. Aladegbami played in the life of church members where he pastored (in particular his life and that of his twin brother who have both determined to strongly support the church ministry in all capacities). Also the great virtue of Mrs. Agboola as priest wife whose exemplary and supportive life is never gone unnoticed and for being humility personified!

_Powered and Compiled by AGES. 

Contact AGES today for all your events coverage, showbiz on video/audio visual projection, online story and pictures back up and your adverts on digital billboard. Please call 08111194242 or send a mail to ademmakglobals@gmail.com. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/jSyYU5brHQs