Professor of Theology and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ilesa, the Rt. Rev. Dapo Asaju, has debunked claims by Rev. Isaac Omolehin that the late founding Bishop of the Diocese, Bishop John Falope, became “born again” only after his retirement.
Bishop Asaju, former Vice-Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, spoke in a broadcast on the Diocese’s social media handle (monitored by Church Times).
He stated that he felt compelled to respond to Omolehin’s recent sermon regarding the late Bishop which put him in a wrong historical perspective
Contrary to Omolehin’s assertions, that Bishop Falope became born again after his regiment, Asaju stated: “Bishop Falope was born again early in his life. Even as an Archdeacon, he was a strong member of the Scripture Union. He was an apostle and author of many books on being born again. He was one of the precursors of revival in the Anglican Church.”
Describing Bishop Falope as a mentor to many young ministers of the Gospel, Asaju said it was unfortunate that Rev. Omolehin could “commit such a historical lie against a revered and holy man of God.”
While noting that the Diocese is still building on the foundation laid by Bishop Falope, he added, “Bishop Falope is a master role model.”
He urged Rev. Omolehin to stop peddling unfounded stories about men of God: “You have done this against the Babalola family, and now you are doing this against Bishop Falope. Please stop this evil.” He charged.
Asaju noted that many pastors have lately been involved in “brickbats,” fighting one another from the pulpit. “That was how priests were fighting each other until we lost North Africa and Asia Minor; today, Christianity is struggling in the West.
“We have better things to preach than to be preaching against each other. The Falope family is embarrassed, the Diocese is embarrassed, and the Anglican Church is embarrassed.”
He called on Rev. Omolehin to apologize for his gaffe while also urging him to check his facts before making them public.