In a move to uphold pastoral authority, Reverend Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa, the Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide, has demoted VSE Bayo King, the Shepherd in Charge of the Celestial Church of Christ, Harton Street, London.
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Citing repeated acts of disobedience and insubordination, Reverend Oshoffa announced the demotion in a memo titled “PASTORAL ORDER: DEMOTION IN SPIRITUAL RANK” with reference number CCC/EMF/PO/AD-DSR-001/04-24.
The memo highlighted VSE Bayo King’s refusal to vacate the Harton Street Parish as directed by previous Pastoral Orders dated 25th September 2023 and 12th February 2024.
It accused him of instigating parish members against the directives of the Pastor and destabilising the parish. As a result, VSE Bayo King has been demoted to the rank of Assistant Superior Evangelist with immediate effect.
The Pastoral Order stipulates that during the period of demotion, the embattled London shepherd must not use or be addressed by any spiritual rank higher than Assistant Superior Evangelist.
Additionally, he is prohibited from wearing the church garment corresponding to any rank above Assistant Superior Evangelist.
The memo emphasizes that his conduct will be closely monitored by the Office of the Pastor, C.C.C. Worldwide.
Reverend Oshoffa expressed hope that VSE Bayo King would demonstrate the expected remorse, obey orders, and show improvement in his conduct, potentially leading to a reconsideration of the decision. Failure to do so could result in further disciplinary action.
In a related statement, Reverend Oshoffa addressed concerns regarding the formation of a parallel Diocese in the UK under VSE Bola Olaleye.
He clarified that he had not authorised any such formation and reaffirmed that the Celestial Church of Christ, United Kingdom Diocese, remains unified under the leadership of Most Superior Evangelist Amos Olabode Fatusin.
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