The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said the embattled senior pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, was not a member of the Christian body.
The Christian body made its position known on Wednesday in a statement signed by its National Director, Legal and Public Affairs, Barrister Kwamkur Samuel Vondip and made available to journalists in Jos.
The statement said, “The Christian Association of Nigeria is deeply concerned about the ongoing rape allegation saga arising from a confessional statement by a former female member of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Mrs Bisola Dakolo against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, the Senior Pastor of COZA.
“Immoral relationships with anybody in the society are against the teachings of the Bible and the church and we urge all believers all over the country to run away from them,” the statement read.
“We are also deeply concerned for the families of Pastor Fatoyinbo and other pastors accused, for whom this period must be one of great pain. May God grant justice to all and vindicate all who are innocent.
“The association understands the challenges of preachers who, by virtue of their position as parents of all in the church, may stand the danger of being accused.
“While we do not know for sure whether or not some or all of the allegations of rape and illicit relationship levelled against members of the clergy are true, we strongly appeal to all Christians to avoid blackmail against any brother or sister in the church for whatever reason. All of us must avoid making ourselves vulnerable”.
He tasked security agents to get to the roots of the matter, while calling on all ministers of the Gospel to shun all appearances of evil especially unregulated closeness to church members so as to avoid scandals.