Celestial Church of Christ releases statement about the pastor who chained his 9 year old son in Ogun

The Celestial Church of Christ has released a statement
reacting to the report of one of their pastors, Francis
Taiwo, who chained his nine year old son, Korede Taiwo,
for weeks without food at the Key of Joy Parish, Ajiwo
at Ajibawo in Ado Odo/Ota local government area of
Ogun State.
In the statement released today July 25th, the
leadership of the church condemned the act, stating it
will never support any act of child abuse. Read the
statement after the cut...
Our attention has been drawn to media reports
concerning the activities of Prophet Francis
Taiwo, Shepherd in Charge, Celestial Church of
Christ ( C.C.C ), Key of Joy Parish, Ajiwo
at Ajibawo in Ado Odo/Ota local government
area of Ogun State. Prophet Francis Taiwo was
reported to have chained his nine year old son
and starved him of food for months, after the
boy was accused of habitual stealing.
The nine year old boy was eventually rescued by
men of the NSCDC who stormed the church
premises for that purpose. Latest reports indicate
that the culprit, Prophet Francis Taiwo was later
arrested by the police with the help of his
church members. This report has drawn the ire
of the public and our great church has been
receiving undeserved flaks therefrom. We are
thus compelled to issue this statement to correct
whatever misconceptions must have been created
about the church, in the minds of the general
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 often acknowledge
them as the salt of the earth and a vital part of
the future of any organisation, church or nation.
Our belief is that children therefore must be
raised in an atmosphere of love, Christian values
and reasonable parental discipline. The fact that
the said Prophet Francis Taiwo was arrested by
the Police with the help of his church members
lends credence to the fact that our church
abhors child abuse, domestic violence and
inhumanity of any form. We commend the
NSCDC and the Nigerian Police for a job well
done, and wish to assure the general public that
the Celestial Church of Christ is already looking
into the matter and would mete out appropriate
disciplinary actions on the culprits. Thank you
and may the Lord be with you all.