The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has suspended a priest, Reverend Ifunaya Maduka, from office as Vicar of St Paul’s Parish, Nteje, in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Maduka was suspended for six months without pay by the church over alleged fake miracles and arrangee prophesies and his involvement in “practices grossly unbecoming” of an ordained priest of the Anglican Communion.
The church under the leadership of Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo (Bishop on the Niger), accused the priest of performing “arranged and manipulated” prophecies and miracles by involving people he knows and pays for the act while presenting such acts as genuine prophetic manifestations of God.
In a suspension letter signed by the Bishop of the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo, it was stated that when the priest was confronted with evidence of doing “arrangee miracles and prophecy”, he admitted his involvement in such an unholy practice.
In the letter, titled, “Suspension from office as Vicar of St. Paul’s Parish, Nteje”, was dated April 27 and obtained by our correspondent in Awka, on Thursday.
It read, “Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It has come to our attention, with deep sadness and grave concern, that you have been involved in practices grossly unbecoming of an ordained Priest of the Anglican Church.
“Specifically, credible and verifiable reports have been brought before us alleging that you engaged in arranged and manipulated prophecies by involving persons whom you induced or paid for that purpose, while presenting such acts as genuine prophetic manifestations from God.
In the letter, titled, “Suspension from office as Vicar of St. Paul’s Parish, Nteje”, was dated April 27 and obtained by our correspondent in Awka, on Thursday.
It read, “Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It has come to our attention, with deep sadness and grave concern, that you have been involved in practices grossly unbecoming of an ordained Priest of the Anglican Church.
“Specifically, credible and verifiable reports have been brought before us alleging that you engaged in arranged and manipulated prophecies by involving persons whom you induced or paid for that purpose, while presenting such acts as genuine prophetic manifestations from God.
“You are also required to vacate the church premises within four days from the date of this letter. . Furthermore, within the next one month, a disciplinary panel shall be constituted to investigate the matter more fully and determine any further action that may be necessary in accordance with the discipline and regulations of the Church.
“May the Lord have mercy upon you, grant you true repentance, and give you grace to amend your ways and serve Him henceforth with a sincere and faithful heart.”
– Punch
