Okotie Flays CAN On Social Distancing In Church, Says It’s Unbiblical

The pastor of the Household of God Church, Chris Okotie, has disagreed with the position of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on reopening of churches in the country.

Okotie described the proposed guidelines by CAN for reopening of the of religious houses as ‘unbiblical’

Like mosques, churches have remained closed in several states across the country for weeks as part of measures put in place to curtail spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

But according to The Sun, CAN had, last Thursday  said it released a 10-point guideline to be presented to the federal government for ratification.

Samson Ayokunle, CAN president, said the guidelines, drafted in tandem with the government’s efforts to tackle the COVID-19, would dictate the operations of churches when they reopen.

The guidelines, among others, propose that churches should strictly observe social distancing during services.

“Every worshipper must wear face mask. Social distancing should be observed in the sitting arrangement with one meter gap between two worshippers. One and a half hour service is enough for a start. There should be a gap of 25 or 30 minutes between one service and another where there are multiple services to avoid crowd,” Ayokunle had said.

But in a statement on Sunday, Okotie castigate the proposed guidelines of the body wondering why CAN would allow the pandemic to determine the pattern of worship in churches.

“Greetings. I am Rev Chris Okotie. I called earlier to discuss a report in today’s Sun Newspaper in which CAN recommended guide lines for the Opening of Churches. Social distancing in the Church of Jesus Christ is tantamount to blasphemous infidelity and an impeachment of the integrity of the word of God,” he said.

The clergyman said such directives weakens the divine healing features for which the church is known for.

He went on to call on CAN to reconsider its position, adding that no true minister of God would support such initiative.

“Healing is fundamental to the redemptive work of Jesus. To allow the idol of coronavirus to determine the scope of congregational worship in the house of God is an abomination of gargantuan proportions,” he said.

“No true minister of the gospel will succumb to such travesty of the faith. This is a summary of my objections. I have sent this message hoping that you would respond as one who bears the burden of the cross of Jesus.

“I have restrained myself from making a public outcry of this desecration and profanation out of respect for you and the CAN hierarchy. But be assured that this position is transient.”