Attack on Churches: Archbishop Odutemu condemns killing; rains curses on perpetrators

By Akpos Oghenetega,

The Archbishop of Nigerian Anglican Communion, Bendel Province, Rt. Rev. Cyril Odutemu has condemned the recent waves of attack on churches and Christian worshippers across the country, describing it as barbaric.

He maintained that no one responsible for such a dastardly act will go unpunished; adding that the killing of worshippers was not just a crime against humanity but against God.

Odutemu made the declaration yesterday in Ughelli, Delta State, during the ‘Bishop’s Charge at the ongoing 8th Synod of the Diocese of Ughelli Anglican Communion, with a theme, ‘We are Christ Fragrance Unto God: A Critical Examination of the Christian Life’, saying the church belongs to God and any action against the church is an invitation to His wrath which no man can withstand.

He said; “The church will not carry arms to fight anyone but God will fight for His church. Unless they come to the church to confess, by the unction of my consecration, they will pay for what they have done. We don’t have guns but we have prayers and we will prevail.”

The Archbishop who also visited the controversial CAMA, urged the Federal Government to rescind the law or face dire consequences.

According to him, “Government is not God and those who make laws against the church have always paid dearly for it. Nebuchadnezzar tried it and paid dearly for it. The church is not a business organization, neither is it a socio-political venture but a spiritual organisation.

“Although this matter is before the court, I make bold to say Buhari lacks the power whatsoever to hand over a spiritual organisation to the Registrar General who is a socio-political leader for supervision. Like I said we don’t have guns to fight but we have prayers, and life and death are in the power of our tongue.”