The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has accepted the apology of the Global Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, after his recent remarks about the CAC’s late founder, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, stirred outrage.
Speaking on behalf of the church, CAC’s Director of Publicity, Pastor Aderinsoye Alawode, stated that the apology was received in good faith and represented contrition and a desire to make apologies.
During a preaching, Fatoyinbo stated that Apostle Babalola was anointed but had no money.
He also claimed Babalola died impoverished and questioned the location of his children.
“I was studying recently about what Apostle Babalola did. I stand to be corrected. What God did through Smith Wigglesworth, if they had documented what God did in the life of that man (Babalola), people would be coming here for pilgrimage. He was anointed. So anointed. Anointed man. Heavy-duty grace, but no money. So, all the grace just went like that,” Fatoyinbo said.
However, reacting, the CAC, in a statement on Thursday signed by Alawode, accused Fatoyinbo of promoting a misleading link between ministerial success and material wealth.
“Ordinarily, we do not respond to social media commentaries or controversies. However, we consider it necessary to address your recent statements, which have been widely circulated on your social media platforms.
“In one of your trending messages on YouTube, you acknowledged that Apostle Babalola was highly anointed but ‘had no money’ and then went on to ask sarcastically, ‘Where are his children?’—a question that was both insensitive and ill-informed.
“To equate anointing or ministerial success with material wealth is biblically flawed. The words of Jesus are clear:
“Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15), the church said.
Deaconess Eunice Ogini, the first daughter of Apostle Babalola, stated that her father was a servant of God and humanity and that his children followed in his footsteps.
She refuted claims that he died poor or left no tangible legacy, stating that she and her sister were blessed and lived comfortable lives as a result of his values and generosity.
Pastor Fatoyinbo issued an apology to CAC and the children of Apostle Babalola on Thursday.
He stated that he did not speak negatively about Babalola’s children and that his church was “a place of honour”.
“Let me state, however, that at no time in the sermon did I refer to the children of the late Apostle and Father of Faith in a bad light. I would never do that. The raw copy of the message is online, and this can be verified.
“I would never in any way or manner take lightly the grace over Apostle Babalola, his children or his ministry or speak lightly of the same.
“I apologise if any other statement made by me has caused any form of distress, hurt or discontentment to the CAC, the family of the late Apostle Babalola or his associates,” Fatoyinbo said.
Reacting to the development in an interview, Alawode commended Fatoyinbo for taking steps to address the matter, saying his apology showed humility and a willingness to make amends.
“He (Fatoyinbo) realised that the statement he made evoked some feelings in some people, and he took steps to correct himself. That is what is needed; it means he has shown remorse.
“Maybe he made the statement in error, and once he has (Fatoyinbo) realised that and corrected himself, that is alright,” Alawode said.
He mentioned that CAC’s concern was not to accuse Fatoyinbo of malicious intent but to clarify public misconceptions his remarks might have created.
“We too did not say he spoke of them (Apostle Babalola and his children) in a bad light, but we just wanted to correct the impression given that maybe Baba did not even have any children at all.
“The children are alive, and all of them are doing well in their various fields of endeavour. They have already retired from government service, and they are church leaders in their own right,” he added.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
