Cleric Blames Church Proliferation On Unemployment

The Bishop of the African
Church, Rivers Diocese, RT Rev Isaac Akin Falana has attributed the high rate of church proliferation in the society to unemployment among the teeming youthful population of the country.
Addressing a press conference at St Paul’s African Church, Port Harcourt in commemoration of the centenary  celebration of our Saviour’s Arican Church Cathedral Buguma last weekend, the Bishop disclosed that most young graduates had resorted to opening of churches as a panacea for unemployment.
While describing the concept of church proliferation as biblical, the Bishop said the nation had been grossly abused, as there was a growing penchant among people to open churches with alluring doctrines that debased morality.
He called on the government at all levels to establish a social welfare system that would take care of issues of unemployment and rid the society of social and religious nuisance.
He said political leaders should be concerned about the down trodden masses, stressing that leadership goes with responsibilities.
He cautioned religious leaders against praise singing  of those in power because of selfish gains.
Bishop Falana also stressed the need for unity of purpose among the component units that formed the Nigerian state, stating that  “Nigeria has a prospect of greatness, given its natural and human endowment.”
Commenting on the importance of the centenary celebration, the Bishop stated that it was in recognition of the efforts of the founding fathers in creating a platform to Africanize Christianity and evangelism.
He explained that the African church started in 1901, as an organized church while  Our Saviour’s Cathedral, Buquma was established in 1913 for expansive propagation of the gospel of Jesus in a measure that liberated them from colonial marginalization and dogmatism.
Bishop Falana also affirmed that the Rivers Diocese of the African Church was committed to the call to discipleship and the enthronement of peaceful co-existence in the society.

Taneh Beemene