Nigeria’s Premier Church – Methodist Church Nigeria has risen from her 49th/13th Biennial Conference held in Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State wielding the “big stick” as the church restated her stand against Immorality including gay marriage and homosexuality.
In the highlights of the one-week long Conference obtained by DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS, the church disciplined three Reverend Ministers for been homosexuals, this includes dismissal and demotion.
The affected Ministers were The Rev. Precious Onyedikachi Ahem, Rev. Ohozie Bright and The Rev. Sunday N. Goodluck.
According to the Methodist Conference, “The Rev. Sunday N. Goodluck a Deacon stationed in the Diocese of Umuahia who had been charged with homosexual tendencies. Conference resolved that he should proceed to Methodist Theological Institute Sagamu for spiritual and character formation, afterwards serve one year on probation before restoration.
“Rev. Ohozie Bright was summarily dismissed for being a serial offender with regard to homosexual practices. His last case has involved police intervention. Conference has resolved that he should not in any circumstances be considered for reabsorption into the Methodist Church Nigeria ministry.
“The Rev. Precious Onyedikachi Ahem was dismissed from the Ministry on account of his serial homosexual offenses. His last case has involved legal action by the parent of his victim. Conference also resolved that he should not in any circumstances be considered for reabsorption into the Methodist Church Nigeria ministry.
Methodist Church Nigeria also rescinded her 2022 decision on the creation of the Diocese of UK/Ireland as the Ikot Ekpene Conference revoked the Diocese.
“Diocese of UK and Ireland: Conference in session revoked the Diocese of UK and Ireland, which was created at the 48th / 13th Biennial conference held at Abuja in 2022,” the Conference highlights confirmed.
The first Church in Nigeria also sets up an ethical commission.
“National Ethical Renewal Commission (NEREC): Conference in session examined the reflections of the Bishops’ Council bothering on ethical issues and challenges.
“In line with the church’s core value of Scriptural Holiness, the church endorsed the establishment of what shall be known as METHODIST ETHICAL RENEWAL COMMISSION. This commission is expected to raise Christian values and ultimately drive true Christian citizenship.
“The slogan: The slogan shall be “Always do it right.”
Also, “Conference in session commended the new minimum wage of ₦70,000 (Seventy Thousand Naira) only recently approved by the Federal Government and line with this, a committee was set up to look into how this can be structured to affect all categories of staff across different levels of the church.”
As part of efforts to further expand evangelical work of the church two missionary Dioceses – Missionary Diocese of Itu – Akwa Ibom State and Missionary Diocese of Niger – Niger State were created along with other nine Dioceses. These include:
Diocese of Oke Eletu – Lagos State, Diocese of Ibarapa – Oyo State, Diocese Okobo – Akwa Ibom State, Diocese of Ini Abasi – Akwa Ibom State, Diocese of Ndoki Asa – Rivers State, Diocese of Bayelsa – Bayelsa State, Diocese of Ado – Benue State, Diocese of Ishielu – Ebonyi State and Diocese of Izhia – Ebonyi State
Similarly, the Conference in session also approved the recommendation of the inspection teams for the creation of some proposed Archdioceses and they include the following:
“Archdiocese of Enone comprising the Dioceses of Enone, Okokwu, Enone East, and Kogi East Archdiocese of Oron comprising of Dioceses of Oron, Oyibua, Ebughu, Okobo, and Ini Abasi
Archdiocese of Anambra comprising of Dioceses Of Onitcha Nnewi, Awkes of Nsukka.
Archdioceses of Ebonyi comprising of Dioceses of Abakaliki, Ngbo, Ishielu and Izhia.”
The Conference also elected some deserving Presbyters as Bishop with Methodist Church having a Special Duties/CCN Bishop for the first time.
“Election of Bishops and Archbishops:
The following were elected Bishops
Very Rev. David Job – Bishop Elect, Diocese of Ado
Very Rev. Mark Ochenjele – Bishop Elect, Diocese of Agatu
Very Rev. Daniel Dunioh – Bishop Elect, Diocese of Zonkwa
Very Rev. O. Omisakin – Bishop Elect, Diocese of Sokoto
Very Rev. O. Adejumo Adegboye Bishop Elect, Diocese of Oke-Eletu
Very Rev. Sunday Johnson – Bishop Elect, Diocese of Ibarapa
Very Rev. Ogba – Bishop Elect, Diocese of Ndoki Asa
Very Rev. Jonathan Eze – Bishop Elect, Diocese of Bayelsa
Very Rev, Ime Ekpeyong – Bishop Elect, Diocese of D-line
Very Rev. Ikaika – Bishop Elect, Diocese of Okobo
Very Rev. Effiong Udoh – Bishop Elect, Diocese of Ini Abasi
Very Rev. Basil Ponzolin – Bishop Elect, Diocese of Niger
Very Rev. James Ekpe – Bishop Elect, Diocese of Ishielu
Very Rev. Evans Onyemara – Bishop Elect, Diocese of CCN/ Special Duties”
“Archbishops
The Rt. Rev. Ezedeke – Archbisop Elect – Archdiocese of Porthacourt
The Rt. Rev.Peter Nkwunolo – Archbisop Elect – Archdiocese of Enone
The Rt. Rev.C.O Igwe – Archbisop Elect – Archdiocese of Ebonyi
The Rt. Rev.V.C. Onoh – Archbisop Elect – Archdiocese of Anambra.
“Translations: Most Rev. Dr. Fafeyiwa – To Archdiocese of Ibadan Most Rev. O. O. Odejayi – To Archdiocese of Igbobini Most Rev. E. O. Udofia – To Newly Created Archdiocese of Oron.”
A total of 190 candidates who were presented for 2024 ministerial ordination were ordained as Reverend Ministers during the Conference at Grooves Cathedral, Ikot-Ekpene.
Worthy is the lamb