Christian groups condemn Obinim’s 'pregnancy exorcism'

Christian groups in the country have jointly condemned Bishop Daniel Obinim for stomping on a pregnant woman during a deliverance session.

The General Secretaries of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), the National Association of Christian and Charismatic Churches (NACCC) and the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), say such behaviours on the part of Christian leaders are religious excesses which do not speak well of the Church.

“We are concerned about reports and incidents of religious excesses that have come to be associated with some ministers of God in Ghana in recent times.

“We condemn in no uncertain terms religious abuses such as pastors stomping on pregnant women,” the groups said in a joint statement.

A recent video of Bishop Obinim stomping on a pregnant woman in an exorcism session went viral on social media and attracted a deluge of flak against him.

Additionally, the religious groups condemned religious leaders who offer “lottery numbers for a fee,” as well as those who prevent adherents or followers from accessing education and/or healthcare, among others.”

“These acts are uncharacteristic of true religion and so we call on such ministers of God to desist from them,” the statement jointly signed by Rev Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, General Secretary, CCG; Bishop Gideon Titi-Ofei, General Secretary, NACCC; Rev Fr Nicholas Afriyie, General Secretary, GCBC and Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, General Secretary GPCC.
 The groups urged the law enforcement agencies to deal with any religious leader who infringes upon the law with their idiosyncrasies.

“We believe in the ability of state institutions entrusted with protecting human rights to act swiftly on these matters just as they will deal with other abuses at the home or the work environment.

“We believe in prophecies, miracles and divine interventions but we do not believe that followers of God must be subjected to abuse in the name of religion. We wish to encourage all believers to rely on God and pray not to fall prey to such antics. We all must exercise religious vigilance and caution so as not to be misled by some self-seeking religious men and women. The various Church Councils/Conference pledge to help nip such incidents in the bud.”