Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba has admonished members of the Christian community to always seek peace among themselves during crisis so as to achieve their major goals of going to heaven.
The Primate gave the admonition on Sunday at a reconciliation, rededication and thanksgiving Service held at the Cathedral Church of St Michael, Esie in Irepodun local government area of Kwara state where a three year old crisis in the Igbomina Diocese of the Church was resolved amicably.
The crisis in Igbomina Diocese which our Correspondent gathered started in 2020 was as a result of misunderstanding between the Bishop, Rt Revd Emmanuel Adeoye and the congregation in the Diocese.
The Primate who was represented by Justice Abraham Biobele Georgewill of the Court of Appeal, Abuja who is the Chairman of the Church of Nigeria Alternative Dispute Resolution Task Force counseled members of the Diocese to be at peace with each other for the progress and development of the church and Nigeria in general.
While thanking members of the Diocese for allowing the crisis to be nipped in the bud and embrace peaceful resolution champion by the Church Alternative dispute resolution committee, Ndukuba said, “progress and development cannot thrive in an atmosphere where there is war and rancour.
“We are bind together by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ who himself is a prince of Peace. So, today marks a significant milestone in the history of the Church because you have allowed the crisis to be settled by the Alternative Dispute resolution Task force. I want to appeal to the congregation in Igbomina Diocese to embrace peace so that the church can move forward”, he said.
Earlier in his sermon titled ; The Beauty of Christianity, focus on purpose”, Rt Revd Olajide Adebayo, Bishop of Igbomina West Diocese said that conflict is a common phenomenon in human existence adding that it is caused by Insufficient resources, Insufficient knowledge and
Insufficient understanding among the parties.
He continued, “when conflicts occur, it should be nipped in the bud immediately, otherwise it will burn us and damage our relationship because it is a spoiler and damaged things.”
He counselled people to learn to forgive others adding that “we should focus on one purpose -advancing the kingdom of God.”
Chairman of the Peace implementation committee of Igbomina Diocese, Dr Shola Afolabi said that the resolution of the crisis was a new beginning in the Diocese adding that “we have just given birth to a new baby and we are christening the baby today.
Afolabi expressed gratitude to the Primate, the Taskforce on Alternative dispute resolution of the church, the Elders and others who ensured that the crisis was resolved amicably.
The Bishop of the Church, Rt Revd Emmanuel Adeoye who was a party to the crisis said that reconciliation which is a norm in Christianity has been achieved adding that this is the begining of spreading the gospel in the Diocese.
The Bishop announced the appointment of Mr Tunji Oyeyipo and Dr (Mrs) Biola Adimula as the new Church Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor respectively.
Dignitaries at the event included; Most Israel Amoo, Bishop of the Anglican Ecclesiastical Province of Kwara,
Venerable Amos Adebayo , Director, Justice Equity and Peace, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) who is the Secretary Church of Nigeria Alternative Dispute Resolution Task Force, Oba Yakubu Babalola, Elesie of Esie and Oba Yakub Buari, Olomu of Omupo as well as
Members of Igbomina Diocesan Peace Implementation Task Force.
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