The Celestial Church of Christ, CCC, which ordained Francis Taiwo a pastor and deployed him to head one of its parishes in the Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, yesterday, issued a statement condemning the man’s action concerning his nine-year-old son.

A statement made available by the Church and signed by Superior Evangelist (Prof) Bola Akinterinwa, Secretary, Board of Trustees, BoT, CCC Worldwide, said the Church’s Spiritual Head, Pastor Mobiyina Oshoffa and the BoT are saddened by the incident. Prophet Francis Taiwo chained his son and starved him of food for weeks, after the boy was accused of habitual stealing. The boy was eventually rescued by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, within the church premises a few days ago. Taiwo, Shepherd in Charge, CCC, Key of Joy Parish, Ajiwo at Ajibawo in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, has since been arrested with the help of his church members. The CCC statement read in part: “The report has drawn the ire of the public and our great church has been receiving undeserved flaks. ”We are, therefore, compelled to issue this statement to correct whatever misconceptions that might have been created about the church in the minds of the public by this shameful and totally unacceptable incident. “Let it be known that the Celestial Church of Christ does not condone child abuse and violence of any form. We recognise and place a high value on our youths and children as we do acknowledge them as the salt of the earth and a vital part of the future of any given stratum of society, organisation, church or nation. ”Our belief is that children must be raised in an atmosphere of love, Christian values and reasonable and acceptable parental discipline.”