The acquisition of private jets by Christian leaders diminishes the moral voice of the church in the fight against corruption, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Matthew Kukah, declared yesterday.

He spoke against the backdrop of the presentation of a private jet to the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, by members of his church during the celebration of his 40th anniversary in the ministry penultimate Saturday.

Kukah, who was guest speaker at the annual Founder’s Day Anniversary lecture of Providence Baptist Church in Lagos, described exhibition of such opulence by church leaders as embarrassing.

The fiery cleric who spoke on ‘Church and the state in the pursuit of the common good’, said: “The stories of corrupt men and women being given recognition by their churches or mosques as gallant sons and daughters and the embarrassing stories of pastors displaying conspicuous wealth as we hear from the purchases of private jets and so on clearly diminish our moral voice.”

Kukah, who was represented by the Administrator of Holy Cross Cathedral Lagos, Rev. Monsignor Pascal Nwaezeapu, also expressed displeasure with the perceived closeness of the CAN leadership to the corridors of powers.

He said such alliance will weaken the ability of the church to speak the truth to elected public office holders.

According to him: “CAN has become more visible in relation to national prayer sessions, pilgrimages, alliances with state power and so on.

“Unless we distance ourselves, we cannot speak the truth to power. We cannot hear the wails of the poor and the weak. We should not be seen as playing the praying wing of the party in power.”

He challenged the church to speak against corruption in low and high places, saying such responsibility must never be jettisoned for any reason.

Apart from Orisejafor, other church leaders who own private jets include Founder of Living Faith Ministries, Bishop David Oyedepo; General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Founder of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy Church.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/pastors-with-private-jets-an-embarrassment-bishop-kukah/

as if we Dont know

What is embarassing about owning a private jet? Give this same MOG 4 months and offer him a jet and see if he'll refuse it.

According to him: “CAN has become more visible in relation to national prayer sessions, pilgrimages, alliances with state power and so on

Exactly!!

“Unless we distance ourselves, we cannot speak the truth to power. We cannot hear the wails of the poor and the weak. We shouldn't be seen as playing the praying wing of the party in power.”

CAN, PFN will hardly condemn the Corruption that is prevalent in the current administration because of their proximity to the power-brokers.

God's judgement is coming swiftly on these Pastorpreneurs...

martyns303: What is embarassing about owning a private jet? Give this same MOG 4 months and offer him a jet and see if he'll refuse it.

Ur question shows you need an education.....

It is a reproach to d body of christ if materialism is encouraged in church.

GARRI (x7):

Ur question shows you need an education.....

Am very much willing to learn if u would educate me. I would appreciate you enlighten me if acquisation of properties are wrong, or based on religious grounds it is ethically wrong? Is "embarassing" the actual phrase that should be used?

GARRI (x7):

Ur question shows you need an education.....

The excess garri u take seems to have clouded your thinking. You are the one who needs to be educated

martyns303:
Am very much willing to learn if u would educate me. I would appreciate you enlighten me if acquisation of properties are wrong, or based on religious grounds it is ethically wrong? Is "embarassing" the actual phrase that should be used?

Then learn from the present predicament Nigerians as people & Nigeria as a State has found herself.

martyns303:
Am very much willing to learn if u would educate me. I would appreciate you enlighten me if acquisation of properties are wrong, or based on religious grounds it is ethically wrong? Is "embarassing" the actual phrase that should be used?

The article explained Y Kukah believes it's an embarrassment. Y not read it again....

teeo:

The excess garri u take seems to have clouded your thinking. You are the one who needs to be educated

Who's dis Nematode??
Get lost!!!!

Jenams: It is a reproach to d body of christ if materialism is encouraged in church.

Materialism is the new Church-Anthem!!!

what I think is more embarassing are pastors that lie about the source of thier jets. Atleast Oyedepo agreed he bought his jets himself but this GEJ minion claiming his poor church that hve not even started thinking of private jets bought him one is insane. Just like Nigeria in general, the Nigerian church haS failed.

GARRI (x7):

Who's dis Nematode??
Get lost!!!!

Your totally mentally derailed. You need to be checked

GARRI (x7):

The article explained Y Kukah believes it's an embarrassment. Y not read it again....

"Kukah believes it's an embarrassment". That's his perception and opinion, he's entitled to it. I did read topic, and since am willing to learn I went tru the topic again as u adviced, and my conclusion is that you lack indepth and reasoning. I would appreciate it you would answer my questions now.

Omen100:

Then learn from the present predicament Nigerians as people & Nigeria as a State has found herself.

please refrain from quoting my post if you won't be logical with your reasoning.

martyns303:
"Kukah believes it's an embarrassment". That's his perception and opinion, he's entitled to it. I did read topic, and since am willing to learn I went tru the topic again as u adviced, and my conclusion is that you lack indepth and reasoning. I would appreciate it you would answer my questions now.

Kukah gave reasons why he believes it is an embarrassment. Read the article again and then try to counter the Issues raised by Kukah... Thanks

If christianity is all about wealth as Nigerian pastors are making us believe now then I wonder why our saviour Jesus christ came to the world as a son of a common carpenter and not King Herod's son . We are all entitled to our opinions, so am with Bishop Kukah on this big time.

Super1759: "bishop mattew" if you are given jet a birthday gift,won't you take?
I think our pastors should think about this.everyone is crying out

^This here is the reason why it is encouraged for youths to read educative and informative materials instead of trivialities.
I don't think you listen to public lectures or you know the pedigree and antecedents of reverend kukah.
The man is principled, vociferous and highly respected nationwide.

teeo:

Your totally mentally derailed. You need to be checked

Oya face ur front, you hear??

I'm really concerned about the source of the funds used by these pastors to acquire jets. They are not known to own blue chip companies, quoted on the floor of any stock exchange. If it is the money contributed by poor members, who are promised the reward of heaven, or threatened with the punishment of hellfire; then that is criminal. But I think that the biggest damage that these pastors have done to their members is the assault on their brains. There are Masters degree holders who would go to their pastors for an advice on when to sleep and relate with their wives and when to invest in any business or take a decision on anything. Why surrender your entire being to the so called man of God. Are you man of devil?

Few years back, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya 'of single and married' lost her precious life on the sosoliso plane crash.
Another pastor (name forgoten) lost his life on the Dana plane crash.
It seems u guys are more interested in seeing people die daily on ur ill-managed and non-regulated airplanes than seeing men of God prosper beyond ur myopic imagination. If not for the poor state of the nation, how much does a private jet cost?
I would have been enjoying pastor bimbo's programs till date if she had her own jet to fly her around.
Ride on pastors, u guys give me hope and help re-affirm my faith that the word of God really works!

GARRI (x7):


What Kukah said is the TRUTH!!!

what is the "TRUTH"? by whose standard is it the truth? please you referred to me as lacking education, over 13 post has been made and am yet to get answers to my question.

GARRI (x7):

Oya face ur front, you hear??

oops! U gave up? U started the insults, u saw ur match, now u're runing wit ur tail inbetween ur legs!

gbadexy:
^This here is the reason why it is encouraged for youth to read educative and informative materials instead of trivialities.
I don't think you listen to public lectures or you know the pedigree and antecedents of reverend kukah.
The man is principled, vociferous and highly respected nationwide.

There's a topic on why Nigerians find it difficult to read

I agree 100% with Bishop Mathew Kukah. Those that have a problem with his assertion are members of churches that their pastors own private jets. I wonder what sort of Christianity is being practiced today.

martyns303:
please refrain from quoting my post if you won't be logical with your reasoning.

Please Sorry for quoting u dis morning, I just thought letting u know that, life itself is a great teacher & I won't join issues with u, please I want to make use of my head & time for other important things this morning. Thank you.

ujchief: Few years back, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya 'of single and married' lost her precious life on the sosoliso plane crash.
Another pastor (name forgoten) lost his life on the Dana plane crash.
It seems u guys are more interested in seeing people die daily on ur ill-managed and non-regulated airplanes than seeing men of God prosper beyond ur myopic imagination. If not for the poor state of the nation, how much does a private jet cost?
I would have been enjoying pastor bimbo's programs till date if she had her own jet to fly her around.
Ride on pastors, u guys give me hope and help re-affirm my faith that the word of God really works!

and what make their lives more important than hundreds of other people that die in plane crashes? What makes the pastor's life more important than an ordinary church member who probably gives his hard earned money to the church but can not raise money for a kidney transplant? What makes pastor's life more important than people that die on lagos-ibadan express way daily? If the so called religious leaders focus on their real work and speak the truth to people in power we won't be in the mess we are now, our aviation sector woul have been good.

ujchief:
oops! U gave up? U started the insults, u saw ur match, now u're runing wit ur tail inbetween ur legs!

A guy like me won the NL debate. That's what I should be aiming at, not a contest of insults with a CRETIN...

On a serious note, I'm trying not to be too insultive on this forum. Its beginning to affect me in real life.....

GARRI (x7):



Kukah gave reasons why he believes it is an embarrassment. Read the article again and then try to counter the Issues raised by Kukah... Thanks

please be consistent, why are you editing your post? i cant see any logical reasons given by Kukah, what i do see is delibrate and calculated statement to tarnish the image of others while making himself appear credible, lets put his credibility to the test, would he have refused a private jet if offered one? and next time you want to address someone as lacking education, look in the mirror and double check your appearance.

Pals,why all this arguments,Kukah has spoken the truth,lets try to see that,and not to be focus on his humanly nature. Thats why corruption persist in Nigeria because everyone wants to be involved.

martyns303:
please be consistent, why are you editing your post? i cant see any logical reasons given by Kukah, what i do see is delibrate and calculated statement to tarnish the image of others while making himself appear credible, lets put his credibility to the test, would he have refused a private jet if offered one? and next time you want to address someone as lacking education, look in the mirror and double check your appearance.

My stand ont his issue never changed. I agree with Kukah 100%...

Pls focus on the substance of Kukah's message, and not whether he'd have accepted the gift or not...

Lastly, I'm sorry about saying you lack education...