Celestial Church Diocese in United States of America

In an article chronicling the event which sparked the crisis in the Church Diocese in the United States, Akinyele  Emmanuel observed that the crisis is as a result of personal interests overriding that of the Church.


In the article titled, Celestian members in the USA be thrifty; USA is not Nigeria, Akinyele mentioned the move to unseat the major claimant of the pastoral seat of the Church, Reverend Emmanuel Mobiyina Friday Oshoffa, EMF over a misunderstanding involving him and the Church's Board of Trustees, BOT.


The allegations leveled against EMF range from lack of accountability, undue influence by his siblings over issues concerning the Church amongst others, with a counter allegation by another younger Oshoffa that the misappropriation of the Church fund was perfected by the BOT.


In a move which hinges on neutrality and avoiding being involved in the crisis between the two camps, the Head of U.S. Diocese V/S/E Joseph Olorunnisola said the Diocese will be standing independently.


Akinyele explained that, " However, the heated situation degenerated on 5th of March 2021, when the Head of U.S. Diocese under the then leadership of V/S/E Joseph Olorunnisola released a Press Statement declaring the U.S. Diocese as an Independent body over the misunderstanding between the BOT and the Pastor, while the Pastor’s office quickly sent a letter to V/S/E Olorunnisola asking him to withdraw his letter, but V/S/E Olorunnisola failed to do so.

"On the 10th of March 2021, the Pastor acted on the provision of Section 108 of the Celestial Church of Christ constitution announcing the dissolution of the U.S. Diocese and the suspension of V/S/E Joseph Olorunnisola. The Pastor immediately appointed a caretaker committee of the U.S. Diocese, headed by V/S/E Anthony Iremeren."


According to Akinyele, both Olorunnisola and Iremeren are products of the Church from Nigeria with the fromer from Ikeja 2 Cathedral, while Iremeren is from Tejuosho Cathedral Parish, both in Lagos.


The supposed removal of Olorunnisola alongside the creation of a caretaker committee created a lot of misunderstanding among parishes, as Olorunnisola has a firm hold on the ground in the United States making it difficult for the caretaker committee set up by EMF to make any gains.


In a bid to try new hands, as the joker of the caretaker committee did shake Olorunnisola's group, Reverend Emmanuel Oshoffa announced the appointment of V/S/E Balogun as the Head of Diocese in the United States.


The appointment of Balogun seems not to have made any effect too, as Akinyele put it that, "it was an obvious fact that V/S/E Olorunnisola had a strong root in the USA Diocese while the Pastor's team led by V/S/E Balogun is facing sleepless nights in trying to confront the Olorunnisola force.


"In a way to resolve the controversy surrounding the USA diocese, Rev EMF Oshoffa made a minor arrangement on appointment where he declared V/S/E Olorunnisola as Patron of the diocese, V/S/E Iremeren as Grand Parton and V/S/E Balogun as the HOD; however V/S/E Olorunnisola never publicly announce whether he accepted the offer of the Pastor or not.


"The faction under him (VSE Olorunnisola) held their USA Diocese conference without the physical appearance of V/S/E Balogun, while V/S/E Olorunnisola was addressed as HOD throughout the conference. There was a short video that went viral on various Celestian platforms on social media where VSE Olorunnisola explained all that happened between him and the Pastor."

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