The 'Bishop of Godism,' Ufuoma Bernard who made the Facebook post on the marital crisis between the former CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and his estranged wife Helen said his life is under threat.
The Niger Delta-based Bernard said since his post surprisingly went viral, he has been receiving threats from some persons claiming to belong to the Word of Life Bible Church, who also vowed that he "would not see the new year."
Helen and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor
He said that the story of Pastor Oritsejafor's marital challenge has been a known one in the Warri area for some months and he made the post not to mock anyone, but to inform, adding that some other top pastors, including himself, have gone through a similar experience and still survived it.
According to Politics Nigeria, Bernard said,
"Let me unequivocally state the following:
1. The facts of the story are in the public domain for months now and Warri has been buzzing with the developing story.
2. I hold Papa Ayo Oritsejafor in the highest esteem and sympathize with him in these trying moments. Separation and divorce are traumatic. I’ve experienced it twice and I do not wish it for my enemy.
3. I did not make the post to catch a cruise or to demarket the couple. It’s a news item and my intent was simply to inform.
4. Close friends who are members of the Word of Life Bible Church reached me discreetly and expressed concern about the update.
5. On the post some mischievous characters who claim to be members of Word of Life Bible Church were unnecessarily agitated and combative and swore in the name of Jesus that I’ll not see the new year.
6. On the night yesterday I got some anonymous threats to my life. I wonder why followers of Jesus are considering violence as an option in conflict resolution.
7. If the story is disputed the estranged couple can arrange a joint press conference countering it or their media office can issue a statement debunking it.
8. In a civilized society you can resort to law enforcement or the justice system if you feel a Facebook post defames you. You cannot take the laws into your own hands.
9. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Brother Joshua Iginla, Pastor Chris Okotie, and Bishop Duncan are popular pastors who suffered divorce and moved on. Their ministries are still waxing on. Papa Ayo Oritsejafor will survive this setback. Divorce is not the end of the discussion. There’s life after divorce.
10. Pastors cry too. Pastors are superstars but humans. Pastors don’t have immunity against the issues of life. Life happens to pastors too. Beyond the glamorous lifestyles of pastors are secret pains and fears. Archbishop Benson Idahosa died. Senior Prophet TB Joshua died. Bishop Anayo Iloputaife was murdered by miscreants. Pastor Ngozi Anwuzia of the then-famous Zoe Ministry is bedridden. Many pastors are going through stuff. It’s not easy for pastors too," Bishop Bernard said.
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and Helen allegedly separated after 25 years of marriage due to irreconcilable differences.
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