Pastor denies sleeping with male teenagers. The scandal has gone viral on social media. The church has suspended him already and sets probe in motion.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) recently suspended Pastor Ayorinde AdeBello amid allegations of homosexuality, involving male teenagers. In an official memo dated October 28, 2024, RCCG’s National Overseer, Pastor Sunday Akande, confirmed the suspension, which also applies to an unnamed pastor facing similar allegations.
The suspension, Akande stated, will enable a comprehensive investigation, with both pastors temporarily removed from their duties. Akande emphasized that RCCG upholds strict biblical teachings, which do not support homosexuality, and that the church takes any breach of these values seriously.
In a detailed response posted on Instagram, AdeBello denied the accusations, asserting his innocence and condemning what he believes to be a misinterpretation of his interactions. “I never engaged in sodomy with male teenagers,” he declared, clarifying that his silence on the issue was misread as an admission of guilt.
Pastor denies social media posts
AdeBello explained that the accusations arose from conversations within a WhatsApp group intended to address teenage issues, particularly male reproductive health and self-esteem. He stated that his messages, though misinterpreted, were meant to provide guidance on personal development for the group members. However, a snippet of the conversation went viral, leading to accusations of inappropriate conduct. According to AdeBello, someone took his words out of context, and unfairly escalated the situation through social media.
In his Instagram post, AdeBello criticized how social media platforms escalated the allegations. He insisted that his silence was not an admission of any misconduct.
Church’s position on allegations
The RCCG emphasized in its memo that the suspension does not imply any judgment on AdeBello’s guilt. It said it rather serves to uphold the church’s integrity as investigations proceed. Pastor Akande reiterated RCCG’s commitment to ethical standards. He noted that the church expects its clergy to adhere to the highest moral principles. “We are taking steps to ensure a fair investigation,” Akande added. He affirmed that the church will cooperate with authorities as necessary to ensure that the matter is handled transparently. An observer noted that some pastors often face criticisms over finances and sexual allegations that eventually turn out to be false.
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