SENIOR Pastor, Household of God Church, Lagos, Rev. Chris Okotie has condemned the proposal by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to introduce social distancing in churches as one of the precautionary measures against spread of Coronavirus in the society.
Okotie in a statement on Sunday through his media aide, Ladi Ayodeji said the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, cannot speak for the Christendom and emphatically said the proposed social distancing in churches is blasphemous infidelity.
“CAN is an amorphous organization sustained by a Christian appellation. It is bereft of any authority to speak on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ. Arrayed in Episcopalian vestments, they are the modern day Pharisees who arrogate divine honors to themselves.
“They have a form of godliness and yet hobnob nicodemusly with enemies of the Lord Jesus. The true ministers of the sanctuary must recognize CAN’s treachery and reprehensible Phariseeism. That which a man spits against heaven shall fall back upon his face. We shall not bow to the idol called Corona Virus. Jesus is Lord”, he said.
However, Okotie gave his full support to social distancing and other safety measures ordered by the government to contain the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic but rejected the extension to churches.
Among his reasons, Okotie said that apart from the fact that it compels reordering of seating arrangements, determination of the size of congregational worship per service for fears of the spread of the deadly virus, it devalues the redemptive work of Jesus, which involves healing.
CAN President, Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle had rolled out the guidelines for the reopening of churches, which he said would be discussed with the federal government for approval, after consultation with the leaders of the other religious bodies.
In the guidelines, Ayokunle said CAN recommended social distancing of one meter in seating arrangement, in churches, wearing of face masks by worshipers, 90 minutes worship sessions, provision of sanitizers, hand washing with soap, etc.