Adeboye seeks religious unity, named international Christian council patron

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has been appointed as the patron of the Ecumenical Synod of Bishops, Archbishops, and Senior Clergy Inc. (ESBAASC).

His appointment was announced during the group’s international conference, held from August 22–25 at Emmanuel Park, RCCG Redemption Camp, reports Church Times Monday.

The theme of the conference is “Religious Tolerance in Nigeria and Across the Nations of the World.”

The conference x-rayed what religious tolerance is, its challenges and how to achieve it.

He expressed his belief that if all nations, including Nigeria, demonstrated genuine love for God, it would lead to peace, unity, and widespread happiness under the guidance of God Almighty.

Gambian delegate
The leader of the Gambian delegates at the conference, Bishop Dr Samuel Akinola, shared that in Gambia, the unpopular government of Yahya Jammeh was successfully overthrown when Christians united and cooperated with the Muslim majority, despite the strong backing Jammeh had from the UN Security Council.

He urged Nigeria to genuinely embrace religious tolerance, cautioning against merely appeasing those who are quick to resort to violence over minor provocations.

Akinola noted, “In Christianity, many have attacked Jesus Christ without any single Christian fighting back.”

The International Secretary and Director of Administration of ESBAASC, Archbishop Prof. Williams Ozazie, who was dubbed the moderator of the event, submitted that “God is not in violence. He is not in any zeal that is in the wrong direction.”

He referenced the Biblical story of Elijah, who single-handedly defeated 400 worshippers of Baal but later fled from the wrath of King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel.

Williams noted that when Elijah was in solitude, God sent a strong wind that broke rocks, followed by earthquakes and fire, yet the Lord was not in any of these. This, he explained, was to show Elijah and the world that God is a God of peace who desires reconciliation with humanity.

Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy of ESBAASC added colour to the three-day event with rigorous military performance, while many were decorated with the insignia of their new ranks as sub-ltnt; Major General, General, Brigadier General., etc.

The Chaplain General and the Commandant Gen. of ESBAASC Bishop Dr. David K. Agboola, in a separate interview, called for religious violence

In his address, he said he used the forum to commend the Nigerian Army, Armed Forces, Police, and heads of other organisations for their roles in combating sectarian violence that has engulfed Nigeria in recent years.

Meanwhile, Olubunmi gave a vote of thanks, noting that a communiqué will be issued and sent to the appropriate quarter in due course.