Official Condemns Church Closure …Says It’s Act Of Indiscipline

L-R: Member, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, Chairman, Senator Ajayi Borofice, Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr Gloria Elemo and another member of the Committee, Senator Chris Ngige, during a visit of the committee to FIIRO in Lagos, last Monday

As the crisis rocking St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Nkpogu in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council deepens, authorities have described last week’s closure of the church as a manifestation of indiscipline and disrespect for constituted authorities and the lack of the fear of God.

A press release entitled “The truth behind the unfortunate closure of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church Nkpogu”, and signed by the pastor’s warden, Sir Gunuma Charles Bell-Gam, said that the Church was supposed to be an example to the world as a place where order and respect for constituted authorities reign.

Bell-Gam said that the Rector was being accused by those who want to control the Church contending that upon his arrival, Venerable Chimela Samuel decided to instill discipline that has been at its lowest ebb in various units of the Church.

“As far as, we know, the person or persons who have openly and severally displayed obvious disobedience to constituted authority is not the current Rector or his co-priests, but these same so-called foundation members of the Church.

“They have shown constant lack of respect for constitution of the Anglican Communion”, he said.

He also queried the rationale behind the closure of the Church, when a panel constituted by the Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey was yet to submit its report.

Bell-Gam, who faulted the reasons given for the closure of the Church, argued that these so-called foundation members cannot, on the strength of the misinformation and lies being spread by one Engr. Victor Amachree and his fellow cohorts, force the removal of the current Rector before the panel has had a chance to conclude its findings.

He also noted that it was not the first time the Church will be closing its doors against pastors as others had suffered similar fate in the past.

It would be recalled that, penultimate Sunday, the Pastor of the Church and others were locked out by some members, citing some unscriptural activities as their reasons.