SHOLA ELYON OFFER OPEN CHEQUE OF PEACE TO CCC METRO PARISH.

An harmonious offer of peace was placed on the table by the secretary of CCC Metropolitan Archdiocese Parish USA through a constructive negotiation process symbolized by an open cheque offered to the disputing factions within CCC Metropolitan Archdiocese Parish in Washington DC, USA. It a fact that the Parish has been embroiled in a series of contentious situations regarding the management of its affairs. This internal strife has led to a division within the Parish, with two main groups vying for control, rather than working towards the advancement of the Parish as a whole.

The two factions, known as the Ebenezer Group and the Adebowale Hassan Group have overshadowed the Parishioners, causing a rift that has resulted in worshipers holding conflicting beliefs. The conflict escalated to the point of physical altercations and legal battles as each group sought to assert their dominance.

On 18th of February 2024, a Peace Meeting was convened with the guidance of a former shepherd of CCC Metropolitan Archdiocese Parish in person of Rev Agbaza. The initiative for this meeting was spearheaded by Sup Evang Shobowale, who is also known as Baba Sho, another former shepherd of the Parish who as continues to worship in the Parish after in tenure as Shepherd.

During the meeting, the primary objective was to discuss the reconciliation of parties. The Adebowale Hassan Group agreed to some of the requests made by Rev Agbaza, promising to withdraw their case from court. However, the Ebenezer Group chose to hold onto their demands without allowing room for negotiation.

The demands of the Ebenezer Group include-(1) The reinstatement of the Parochial Committee dissolved by MSE Olarinde, (2) The reappointment of AVSE Daudu as the Shepherd, (3) The dissolution of the CTC, (4) An audit of the Parish account for the past 10 years, and (5) Access to be involved in the signature of the Parish account.

The atmosphere of the meeting was tense with various accusations being made without caution. Then the Parish Secretary, S/V/M/S/E Shola Elyon who does not belong to either group, took center stage to express his views. He preached and solicited for peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that it is the mission of the Church on earth. He then made an open offer to the Ebenezer Group, stating that “he would resign from his position as Parish Secretary for C/E/B Segun Silva if the group withdrew their case from court, in order for the Parish to experience unity as a family”.

The generous offer extended by S/V/M/S/E Shola Elyon at the meeting left all attendees in awe. The offer brought a moment of stunned silence, followed by Rev Agbaza expressing his admiration for S/V/M/S/E Shola Elyon’s Christian behavior. However, the Ebenezer Group, to which C/E/B Segun Silva belongs was unable to provide a direct response to the offer presented during the negotiations.

It is worth noting that C/E/B Segun Silva, the grandson of the late Baba Ajanlekoko, previously appointed as Assistant Secretary of the CTC under MSE Olarinde. He resigned from the Committee without offering any substantial justification for his actions and is also involved in a court case with a member of the Parish.

The meeting concluded with a surprising gesture from S/V/M/S/E Shola Elyon, yet the Ebenezer Group remained silent in response to the offer. Many Parishioners believe that accepting the offer could potentially alleviate the issues that have plagued the Parish for over three years.