In an interview with The PUNCH, Kaigama said pastors could still go ahead to lead their followers to heaven, whether there is pandemic or not, adding that COVID-19 “is the acid test now.”
The bishop said any cleric in the church whose goal is to amass wealth is not called of God but a businessman.
“This is the time to know who are true shepherds of the flock and those who are just engaged in work of religion in order to amass wealth for themselves or to acquire wealth and prosperity,” he said.
“If you are a pastor or priest in order to serve the people and lead them to heaven, then whether coronavirus is active or not, you will still go on to do that.
But if you are a pastor or priest in order to acquire material wealth, in order to enjoy prosperity, then, I’m sorry, you’re not called by God. You’re a businessman or businesswoman and not a priest or pastor.
“This is the time we should see real men of God who are dedicated, even to the point of giving everything they have, including their lives in the service of the people of God.
“This is a moment of trial for us, we hope that we will pass the test with distinction as pastors and we will be able to stand by our people solidly without money.
“If the collections are not coming to the church, tithes are not there, how do you do? Will you run away and abandon the sheep? No, as a good shepherd, you should stand strong and firm and be there for the people and pray for good time to come again.”
So true,some pastors and bishops are busy collecting tithes thru different means when they should be rendering help to their members in this hard times.
ReplyDeleteMy Archbishop have spoken!
ReplyDeleteThe Archdiocese of Lagos spent over 20 million in cash and kind to over three hundred parishes in Lagos to ease the effect of the lockdown...no press men..no social media noise..just silent workers...yet the church is ready to comply with the rules by government till church activities resume..can't say same for some other pastors..it's a shame
ReplyDeleteLets for one second ask how they got that amount in the first place?
DeleteStop being unreasonable anon 16:43. When the society had money, they gave the church, now the society needs money, the church has given back to the society. Give credit when it is due, the church has done well. Stop being insensitive. Thank you.
Delete17:26 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 That’s just it. The hatred for Catholic Church won’t let some people see beyond their noses. Catholic Church has been helping the poor and needy, Catholics and non Catholics. The church also pleads with its comfortable and rich parishioners to donate to St Vincent the Paul. This proceeds are used to help the less privileged in our midst.
DeleteLol @ how they came about the money because the clergy doesn’t live in flamboyancy.
17:26 😘😘😘💕
DeleteCatholic Churches are the best in rendering services to people. They even help non members. They run food banks, shelters, etc. l am a Catholic now. Bye Pentecostal churches. Let me go look for my Rosary.
DeleteAnon:17:26, God bless you for this comment. Chop kiss. Anon:16:43 try and cleanse your heart of hate 😏😏
Delete@ 17.26, the Lord bless you, amen.
DeleteGod bless this Bishop for speaking the truth.
The ones who are in it for money will expose themselves by themselves. As if It is only in Nigeria people go to church, we won't hear word. It is an attack against the church every day!!
God bless you Sir.
DeleteVery true.
ReplyDeleteThis covid19 is an eye opener to we Christians. Most pastors are so self-centered! You couldn't reach out to your sheep during this difficult time and so what's the need of being a follower? E better i do service for my house,business men everywhere
ReplyDeleteExactly,this was the litmus test for most of them and most of them failed woefully 😏
DeleteBishop the businessmen has started protesting that if the government should allow market to open for 2hrs, that they should allow them open their business (church) also for 2hrs 😂 😂 😂 😂
ReplyDeleteHis Lordship the businessmen has started protesting that if the government should allow markets to open for 2hrs, that they should allow them open their businesses for 2hrs also 😂 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣.
ReplyDeleteWell said, the same interests of the masses and their wellbeing cannot be over emphasized in this time.
ReplyDeleteit is exposing them already that's why they are begging for the reopening of churches.
ReplyDeleteThey are not brhuing now, they are threatening the government.
DeleteAwon ole
Where's the lie?
ReplyDeleteI love my Catholic Faith.. here in the United Kingdom, my Parish in Haywards Heath West Sussex sends messages every three days to know how we are getting in and if we need any food or assistance.. I'm sooo Proud to be a Roman Catholic. I can not Ask for more. Our extremely wealthy parishioners paid for groceries and you can go get them at M&S, Budgens, Cooperative, Iceland. Unbelievable. I weep when I see the hunger on the faces of Nigerians back home.
ReplyDeleteSo proud to be a Roman Catholic 🙏🏼.
DeleteThe problem most churches have is wrong foundation.
DeleteEt unam sanctam Catholicam et Apostolicam Ecclesiam.
DeleteIf the people refused to wake up now, they will never wake up again, covid 19 has exposed all these men and their motives.
ReplyDeleteThey are so unsettled now that no one is coming to the church and no other way to generate revenue.
They will soon enter the street and protest, awon alayebaje
Read thoroughly before lumping this bishop and these god of men together.
DeleteSome pastors are really disgracing themselves this period.My family is managing themselves;I got 50% salary last month and not sure I will even get any this May;same applies to my husband and we are managing the best way we can;na im my village pastor dey call call person every day.Asking for palliative support in form of cash;from people that he has not even enquired to ask how they are managing in town.Meanwhile ;many donations have been made by philanthropists at home;and it passes through him to distribute to the church and less privileged..and it still isnt enough cos cash isnt involved.
ReplyDeleteGod will certainly be the judge of selfish pastors.Mtschewww!
Nothing but the truth.
ReplyDeleteMy Bishop, my Bishop, you have spoken well..they have started protesting already o. Business men😂
ReplyDeleteHis lordship himself this is a bitter truth
ReplyDeleteRCCG shared things o. My parish has given us reasonable foodstuff twice. I will continue pay my tithe. I pay tax to Lagos state government but got no support in this period.
ReplyDeleteAbeg' audio palliatives'.
DeleteWhich one is audio palliative? Be proud of your catholic and let others be proud of theirs. Nobody is giving award for the best.
DeleteI'm RCCG and I'll forever be one. Even till this week my church still sent a message to come and collect foods.
And madam I repeat" audio pallatives"
DeleteI'm going back to my Catholic after this pandemic. Covid19 has opened my eyes, my pastor keeps disturbing me for tithe without asking how we're coping this period
ReplyDeleteBye Felicia. Who cares. Who you epp?
DeleteThats a good one bishop but I want to ask,bishop have you been dropping your salary and allowance as well since this pandemic started?
ReplyDeleteHow is that your fucking business?
DeleteWhat did he say that you are saying another thing?
And how much do you think he earns? He can only do the little he can. Now move along.🙄🙄🙄
DeleteObviously, you know little or nothing about the Catholic Church.
DeleteAnon 18:37,you nothing about the Catholic church,so let me educate you. They are not like your selfish and greedy pastors who fleece you people. Our Archbishop's and priests survive sometimes with the bearest minimum and donations from good hearted church members. They are thought to live a life of sacrifice.
DeleteAsk him o
DeleteMy parish in Mowe has been giving out money and food regularly to needy members, they even have out today. God bless them and replenish their pockets in Jesus name.
ReplyDeletesimple truth
ReplyDeleteLouder preacher! The people at the back are not hearing
ReplyDeleteProudly Catholic
ReplyDeleteFrom birth to death.
Catholicism is my life.
Onye isi by Onye isi.
Proudly catholic. Catholic alive and catholic in death.
ReplyDelete