The General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, stated that same-sex marriage contradicts Jesus Christ’s admonition to Christians.
Kumuyi spoke at the Deeper Life International Conference Centre, KM 48 Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, during the opening ceremony of the Global Crusade with Kumuyi and the 2023 National December Retreat titled “Emmanuel.”
His statement comes on the heels of Pope Francis giving authorization for priests to bless same-sex marriage couples.
However, Kumuyi said in his statement that Christ Jesus’ order was for a man to marry a woman.
He said, “The Lord Jesus Christ told us before he left that we should go to the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. He even says heaven and earth shall pass away, but his words will not pass away.”
“We stand in obedience to Christ and submissiveness to him, and we carry on the works of Christ that said a man and a woman should be joined together in marriage until death do us part,” Kumuyi declared.
Speaking on the essence of the Yuletide, he stated that it was a time to recognize Jesus’ impact and sacrifice for the entire world.
“There are some things that people do during this time that do not honor Christ Jesus and do not help their health, like smoking, drinking substances, and doing other things that impact their health negatively.”
Kumuyi emphasized that his zeal was to impact the youth, stating that December 26 had been slated for ‘Youth Impact’ to discuss the tremendous work of ‘Emmanuel’ that would change their lives.
“I have the vision, passion, and mission for the young people. People are looking for something that will make life meaningful for them. We have the road map; we have goals and everything they are looking for. We don’t condemn them, but we want to show them the best alternative.
“We’ll show them steps that lead to the discovery of what they are searching for. They will have the redirection they ought to have in life, and a great thing is going to happen to everyone that comes,” Kumuyi said.
The crusade, which will be headed by the GCK, is set to take place from December 21 to December 26.
Kumuyi, on the other hand, emphasized that the safety of people’s lives and property will be a top priority during the upcoming global campaign.
![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")
