A bereaved family in Kebara, Yeghe in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State Nigeria, has been left forlorn and bemused, not certain what to do next after their church reportedly refused to conduct funeral rites on their late father because he did not pay his tithe complete before his demise.
The deceased, Mr. James Pyabari was sick for years before his demise on Monday 25th January 2021.
His son, Lekara James told our correspondent that the family consulted with the Orthodox Church to bury him either on Tuesday, January 26th or Wednesday 27th due to their “financial condition,” but the “Priest and those in authority said no”.
Lekara said the family lacks the money to meet the requirement allegedly set by the church.
Lekara narrated his family’s ordeal: “I lost my father and the church we attended refuse to buried him bcoz of there selfish interest for money the church name is st Simon Anglican Church Kebara Yeghe Diocese of Ogoni.
“The priest and those in authority in that church said the church should not bury him. They said they will not bury him because he was owing the church, that he didn’t pay his tithe complete.
And he (his late Father) has contributed a lot to the church but I don’t know why they have to do this to us not considering that this man was sick for years and he is not a civil servant but he was still trying his best”.
Lekara lamented that the church also allegedly failed to visit his family during the trying times their late father battled the sickness for his life.
He appealed to leaders in the area to previal on the church leaders to accord their late dad the final honour as a devote member.
The Priest failed to respond to the message and calls sent to his mobile number to react to the accusation as at the time of publishing this report.
