Go and sin no more, CAC tells Pastor Fatoyinbo after controversial remarks
Go and sin no more, CAC tells Pastor Fatoyinbo after controversial remarks
The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has accepted the apology of the Global Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, following his controversial remarks about the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, the revered first General Evangelist of the church.
Speaking on behalf of the church, the Director of Publicity, Pastor Ademisoye Alawode, said the apology was received in good faith and reflected remorse and a willingness to make amends.
While preaching in a recent sermon, Pastor Fatoyinbo had stated that although Apostle Babalola was highly anointed, he “had no money” and questioned the status of his children.
“I was studying recently about what Apostle Babalola did. I stand to be corrected. What God did through Smith Wigglesworth — if they had documented what God did in the life of that man (Babalola), people would be coming here for pilgrimage. He was anointed. So anointed. Anointed man. Heavy-duty grace, but no money. So, all the grace just went like that,” Fatoyinbo had said.
In response, the CAC, in a statement signed by Pastor Alawode, described Fatoyinbo’s comments as a misrepresentation of true ministerial success and a flawed equation of anointing with material wealth.
“Ordinarily, we do not respond to social media commentaries or controversies. However, we consider it necessary to address your recent statements, which have been widely circulated on your social media platforms,” the statement read.
“In one of your trending messages on YouTube, you acknowledged that Apostle Babalola was highly anointed but ‘had no money,’ and then went on to ask sarcastically, ‘Where are his children?’ — a question that was both insensitive and ill-informed.
“To equate anointing or ministerial success with material wealth is biblically flawed. The words of Jesus are clear: ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses’ — Luke 12:15.”
Also reacting, Deaconess Eunice Ogini, the first daughter of Apostle Babalola, emphasized that her father lived a life wholly devoted to God and humanity. She dismissed claims that he died poor or left no legacy, stating that she and her sister are living comfortably and remain committed to their father’s values.
In light of the backlash, Pastor Fatoyinbo issued a statement on Thursday, apologizing to both the CAC and the family of Apostle Babalola. He maintained that he never intended to insult the late apostle or his children.
“Let me state, however, that at no time in the sermon did I refer to the children of the late Apostle and father of faith in a bad light. I would never do that. The raw copy of the message is online and can be verified.
“I would never in any way take lightly the grace over Apostle Babalola, his children, or his ministry. I apologise if any statement made by me has caused any form of distress, hurt, or discontentment to the CAC, the family of the late Apostle Babalola, or his associates,” Fatoyinbo said.
Reacting in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Pastor Alawode commended Fatoyinbo for his humility and willingness to address the issue.
“He realised that the statement he made evoked some feelings in people, and he took steps to correct himself. That is what is needed — it shows remorse,” Alawode noted.
He further clarified that the church’s response was not an accusation of malice, but a necessary correction to dispel public misconceptions.
“We also did not say he spoke of Apostle Babalola and his children in a bad light, but we needed to correct the impression that perhaps Baba didn’t have any children. The truth is, his children are alive and thriving. They are retired civil servants and respected church leaders in their own right,” he concluded.
