Bishop David Oyedepo, President Living Faith Worldwide, has apologised to the Ogun State Government for flouting its order on large gatherings in view of the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.
Thousands of worshippers thronged the Living Faith Church in Ogun State on Sunday in defiance of government’s directive banning gatherings in excess of 50 in the state.
A remorseful Oyedepo, after social media bashing, has apologised for his action.
The apology letter issued by Pastor Steve Ogah, Special Assistant to Bishop David Oyedepo, read:
“Coronavirus: Compliance with Government Order – Matters Arising*
“It has become necessary to issue this statement to clarify issues surrounding why Faith Tabernacle, the International Headquarters of Living Faith Church, Ota, in Ogun State, held its regular church service today, although with less than half of her regular worshippers.
“There has been diverse responses varying from well-meaning concerns to uncharitable insinuations, misinterpretations, and unfounded allegations that the service was held in deliberate defiance of Ogun State Government ban on high-density gatherings, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Nothing can be further from the truth.
“For avoidance of doubt, as stakeholders and as a responsible organisation, Living Faith Church fully supports and encourages compliance with all initiatives of government to combat the spread of this dreaded virus. However, information has to be strategically disseminated to the grassroot, noting that the Church is a family and not an industry, it is for this reason that enlightenment and sensitization from the Church platform is a most effective way to get people involved in playing their part in terms of prayers and intercessions and not just staying away from Church without knowing what to do.
“Invariably, a press release from the office of the CAN President, through his Special Assistant on media on Saturday March 21, 2020, expressed the same position that members who may gather in church premises, many of whom may not be aware of this regulations should be allowed to worship for the purpose of enlightenment on the subject matter
