The Catholic Church has backed the apology tendered by General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adekoye over his teaching on the need for tithe payment.
The Church said it is the right thing to do.
Director of Social Communications for the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, Rev Fr Anthony Godonu, said Adeboye’s retracted teaching was not in line with that of the Catholic Church, stressing that it was good that the clergyman admitted his mistake.
His comment came as the PFN and other men of God described it as a good development given that Adeboye has a large following and the teaching did not conform to any bible verse.
Godonu said: “On the repentance of Pastor Enoch Adeboye over the statement he made three years ago that those who do not pay tithes will not go to heaven and recanting the statement, I think it is the right to do. That means he has found light and the truth. John 8:32 says that you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
“Pastor Adeboye has found the truth and the truth has liberated him. The Catholic Church doesn’t preach money as the basis for going to heaven, but doing the will of the father and following Jesus Christ. Carry your cross daily; accept everything that comes to you in thanksgiving and praise is what we preach in the Catholic Church. I am glad that a high ranking pastor in Nigeria has come out to say the truth at his age and at this time.
What much does he need to say than the truth if truly he wants to get to heaven?
“I am congratulating him for knowing the truth and showing light to the public.” Also speaking, former Vice Chairman of the PFN, Bishop Abraham Olaleye, said: “Whether the apology is holistic or not, it is important to acknowledge the fact that he apologised because what he has said before on the issue of tithe was an error, Christians are living in the gospel dispensation which is the dispensation of grace. The condition for salvation is clearly stated in John 3 verse 16. So, if we bring a new dimension that is contrary to the principle of the Bible, it means we have to rewrite the Bible.
“The error could happen to anybody if the understanding of the word of God is inadequate. However, Pastor Adeboye’s apology is a good development, especially as someone who leads many people. Tithe is an Old Testament practice that God initiated when Israelites became a nation and of the 12 tribes that made up the tribes of Israel, God told the tribe of Levites not to engage in any other business whether the cattle business or agriculture so that they can concentrate on spiritual matters over the nation. So, if other people bring their crops or produce, the Levites eat sufficiently and they will concentrate on the work of the ministry and that was to Israel. A lot of people do not understand that many things that apply to the Israelites in the Old Testament do not apply to us today.”