RELIGIOUS STRIFE MUST STOP (Pubished Dec 28, 2007)

LAST Monday, December 24, 2007, there were renewed clashes between the two factions in the Apostles Revelations Society (ARS) which brought the 68th Missionary Anniversary celebrations of the church to an abrupt end.
It is recalled that the ARS has been engaged in a leadership struggle since its founder, C. K. Mawufeame Wovenu, passed away in 1999.
The struggle, the DAILY GRAPHIC has learnt, is over who should be the next spiritual leader of the church and this has brought about many court actions, heated debates and, sometimes, physical clashes (as in the instant case).
Two factions have developed in the church — the one led by Apostle James Kwaku Amegah and the College of Apostles, made up of 12 ordained ministers of the church.
In our Editorial of yesterday, we had cause to caution our politicians to be circumspect as they went about the electioneering for next year’s general election. Our advice was based on the fact that the Christmas message centred on peace on earth and goodwill towards all men.
We might have left out our churches from the admonition because of obvious reasons — that the House of the Lord can lead the way to peace and fellow feeling.
Need we say that the news coming out of the camp of the ARS has disappointed us?
If the selection of a spiritual leader in the church has dragged on for about nine years, leading to animosity, tension and clashes in the church, then how do we expect the members of that church to relate to members of other churches and even faiths?
And the fact that the clashes are taking place at a time when Christians all over the world are celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace makes the whole issue very sickening and the DAILY GRAPHIC feels something must be done about it sooner than later.
Our appeal to the factions is that no matter the bone of contention between them, they must use dialogue, the spirit of compromise and forgiveness to arrive at a settlement that will satisfy them. We think that if they do that, matters can be settled out of court and the church will be at peace with itself and its immediate publics.
The present situation is unbecoming of the ARS, and the fact that such an important anniversary should be truncated because of clashes should serve as a wake-up call for every church member to call for a truce.
After all, the Good Book admonishes followers of Christ to leave everything in God’s hands, since He is capable of resolving every problem that comes the way of His children.
While we are at it, we must commend the Ketu District Security Council and the police for their timely intervention to avert any bloodshed.
Considering the fact that many adherents had congregated at Tadzewu from far and near to take part in the celebrations, the clashes could have degenerated into a bloodbath. We also wish the policeman who got injured in the process of averting the clashes a speedy recovery.
The members of the ARS deserve better and their leaders should make it possible for them to go about their religious activities without let or hindrance. That way, the blessings that come with spiritual growth will rub on all to uplift the nation itself.
What the leaders should remember is that a house divided against itself cannot stand!