Bishop Slams Fake Prophecy, Miracle Seekers

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, the Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, has cautioned Christians against accepting fake prophecies and consulting fake prophets for miracles.
The bishop, who gave the caution last weekend at the ordination of Rev. Fr. Mark Inedi at Christ the King Church, Imiringi in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, alleged that some church priests parading miracles in the name of God were witch-doctors who stage-manage miracles to deceive unsuspecting members of the public with the intent to exploit them.
“I don’t intend to ridicule any pastor or man of God, but pastors and Churches should stop deceiving people with fake prophecies and stage-managed miracles,” he said.
He emphasized that Christians should refrain from believing fake prophets and miracles.
Speaking with newsmen after his maiden mass and thanksgiving, Rev. Fr. Inedi promised to discharge the duties of his calling with respect, obedience and humility to the Church and humanity in general.
He thanked the Bishop of the Diocese, his colleague Priests, his parents and others for the support given him throughout his formative years in the Seminaries, noting that it was a herculean task, but God made it possible for him to succeed in his vineyard which culminated into his ordination ceremony.
“By God’s grace I’ll try my very best as a priest in the discharge of my priestly duties to the Church and humanity. It was indeed challenging, but God enabled this day to become a reality.
“I want to thank and appreciate the Lord Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, for the encouragement and support. I also want to thank all my senior colleague priests, my parents, relatives, family members, friends and classmates for their unrelenting support throughout my formative years. May God continue to bless all of them”, he said.
The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bayelsa State Chapter, Very Rev Fr. Joseph Opelema, and the priest in charge of the Imiringi Deanery, Rev. Fr. Peter Ikuli described the formative years of priesthood as very challenging.
Opelema who also doubles as Vicar-General of the Diocese advised the newly ordained priest to be steadfast, courageous and dedicated to the growth of the church and progress of the larger society.
He emphasized that Catholic Priests were called to serve humanity and exemplify the teachings of Christ in their conducts.
“The increase in the number of indigenous priests from Imiringi Deanery was due to Opelema’s resilience and successful ordination as a priest in 1994.
“If Joseph Opelema hadn’t succeeded as a seminarian and ordained successfully having been the first priest from this area many of us wouldn’t have become priests today”, Rev. Fr. Ikuli said.