Lockdown: Succour as Seraphs get palliatives from constituent churches

As the effect of the “stay at home” order bites hard on the masses, constituent churches in the Cherubim and Seraphim fold have made palliatives available for the upkeep of their members.

The palliatives which consist of food, cash gifts and other essential items are meant to cushion the effect of the lockdown.

After an initial period of 14 days, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, April 13, 2020, extended the lockdown in Lagos and Ogun states, as well as the FCT by another 14 days so as to contain the spread of the virus. This is just as some states were already on lockdown on the order of their executive governors.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Head, Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, Prophet Solomon Alao, in his Easter goodwill message directed all C&S churches to attend to the welfare of all their members and neighbours that were vulnerable.

While pleading with all churches and leaders to be their brothers’ keepers at this moment, Baba Olori said, “the lockdown is having an adverse effect on the well-being of some people as some families are finding it difficult to feed.”

Thus, in a bid to ascertain the level of compliance, Acts of Seraphs embarked on a random check on constituent churches.

Findings soon revealed that some of them have been rolling out palliatives to their members, while others were still planning on ways to effectively reach out to their members considering the available resources at their disposal.

Speaking with the Supreme head of Holy Church of C&S, His Eminence Elder Lekan Akintayo, he disclosed that the church leadership has been up to the task in the past few weeks.

“We have been reaching out to our members who are vulnerable. It’s a continuous exercise. And that’s what we are doing at the moment.”

He added that the church has embarked on the exercise even before Baba Olori’s directives.

Also in a chat with Elder J.K Kunlipe of The Worshippers, he disclosed that the church was trying her best even with the meager resources available.

“We are trying our best as much as we could. We didn’t see this coming, and that is reason for the shortfall we are experiencing. So, the identified members whom we think have financial problems are the ones we are assisting.”

Elder Kunlipe also noted that the church has always rendered assistance to her members across parishes even before the lockdown. He added that the fold is trying within its limit to reach out to members during this period.

Speaking in the same vein, Sp. Apo. Olabintan of Ona Iwa Mimo C&S church said the fold had distributed food items to members since the commencement of the lockdown.

“We distributed rice, beans and semo to some of our members here in Igboho. And we have been doing this before Easter.” He said.

On their plans to put up similar exercise, the General Secretary of Praying Band C&S church, Elder Kofo Odukoya, said the church was preparing to roll out palliatives, adding that those to be considered first were the financially challenged members.

“We want to first of all reach out to those that are challenged, financially, as a means of succor during this lockdown. The church has decided to roll out 5000 naira each for members which is the first phase. The second phase will follow after two weeks.”

He stated, specifically, that the palliatives were limited to the elderly ones, as they appeared to be the most vulnerable.

Similarly, the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Ayo ni o, has embarked on palliative measures in their respective districts. This was made known by Sp. Apo Odedele, a representative of the fold at C&S Unification National Executive Council.

He said branches that have the wherewithal were already assisting their members.

Further checks revealed that some churches have been carrying out similar task while others were yet to make such move due to financial constraints.

One of the constituent churches, however, noted that it was yet to roll out palliatives for its members. A leader in the church who craved anonymity says, although, there was no plan in place, but the inquiry by Acts of Seraphs would make the fold look into what could be done in such regard.

It is worth to note that the youth fellowship, Lagos state chapter, led by Bro Muyiwa Odedina distributed food items across some divisions in the state recently.

Church should donate to members, not FG – Adeyemi

On the flipside however, the Chief PRO of the Unification fold, Sup. Apo. Muyiwa Adeyemi, has urged churches in the Christendom to focus more on its members during this trying period.

Speaking against the backdrop of series of donations made by some churches to the Federal Government, lately, elder Adeyemi said members in the church needed such fund the most.

According to him, churches were meant to play fatherly roles to their members who are in dire need at such a time as this.

“I think the churches who have been donating money to the federal government should realize by now that their members ought to be the focus of such donation. The government, without doubt, has financial resources to play around with and cannot be as vulnerable as the masses. Church members await the church leadership to play a fatherly role during this period. And a good shepherd who truly cares for his sheep won’t let it stray away in hunger”, Adeyemi noted in chat with Acts of Seraphs.

He added that the huge amount being donated, if put together, would go a long way to ameliorate the suffering of the masses during this lockdown.

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