Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s Tithe Apology Sparks Rare Unity: Catholics and Pentecostals React!

By  Pastors Toolbox (Media Desk)

On   16, 2026

15,497,947 Views

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ECUMENICAL RESPONSES | DOCTRINAL SHIFT

A Unifying Retraction: Catholics and PFN Leaders Applaud Pastor Adeboye’s Tithing Apology

Focus: Cross-Denominational Theological Alignment  |  Location: Lagos, Nigeria 🇳🇬  
  Report By: Sona Editorial Desk | Olayinka Latona & Ebunoluwa Sessou

The unprecedented public apology by Pastor Enoch Adeboye regarding his erroneous teaching on tithing has triggered a profound wave of cross-denominational reactions across the Nigerian Christian landscape.

A RARE CONSENSUS: Leaders from the Catholic Church, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), and independent ministries have seized upon the RCCG General Overseer's retraction, praising his humility and validating the theological pivot.

Rather than sparking condemnation, the General Overseer's admission that his "no tithe, no heaven" statement was unbiblical has been met with widespread applause. For many theologians, this moment serves as a critical bridge between orthodox Catholic teachings and modern Pentecostal practices.

Catholic View Dispensations Pastoral Meekness Malachi Verdict

"He Has Found Light and Truth"

For years, the aggressive prosperity and tithing doctrines of Nigerian Pentecostalism have sat at odds with Catholic orthodoxy. Adeboye's apology provided a rare moment of theological convergence.

Rev Fr Anthony Godonu's Assessment:

Liberated by the Truth The Director of Social Communications for the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese commended the retraction. "On the repentance of Pastor Enoch Adeboye... I think it is the right thing to do. That means he has found light and the truth. John 8:32 says that you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."

Money is Not the Basis for Heaven Fr. Godonu drew a sharp contrast between transactional theology and orthodox salvation. "The Catholic Church doesn’t preach money as the basis for going to heaven, but doing the will of the father and following Jesus Christ. Carry your cross daily... I am glad that a high-ranking pastor in Nigeria has come out to say the truth at his age."

Returning to the Dispensation of Grace

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and its affiliates viewed the retraction as a necessary correction to prevent the "rewriting" of the New Testament.

Bishop Abraham Olaleye (Former Vice Chairman, PFN) Bishop Olaleye emphasized that the modern church operates under Grace, not Law. "The condition for salvation is clearly stated in John 3:16. So, if we bring a new dimension that is contrary to the principle of the Bible, it means we have to rewrite the Bible." He acknowledged that inadequate understanding of the Word can cause anyone to fall into error.

The Levite Context Clarified Olaleye deconstructed the Old Testament tithing system, noting God commanded the 12 tribes to support the Levites (who were barred from agriculture) with food. "A lot of people do not understand that many things that apply to the Israelites in the Old Testament do not apply to us today," he asserted.

A RARE CONSENSUS: Leaders from the Catholic Church, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), and independent ministries have seized upon the RCCG General Overseer's retraction, praising his humility and validating the theological pivot.

"The Rare Attitude of a Learner"

In a religious culture where "Mega-Church Daddies" are often viewed as infallible, Adeboye’s apology broke the mold.

Rev Prince Obed Ezeonye (Excellent Glory Christian Centre) Ezeonye admitted he originally held his peace due to Adeboye's immense stature, but felt validated by the retraction. "Pastor Adeboye has demonstrated the rare attitude of a learner. By his action, he is telling the body of Christ that he has not arrived and that he is still learning. This is meekness of the highest order."

Rev Peter Gabriel Elumeze (Activation Church Global) Elumeze pointed out that a leader with "crooked intentions" would never apologize publicly. "His approach was more practical which I admit may not be perfect... Many of the present-day preachers won’t do that. It takes someone who is truly seeking God to do such, especially publicly."

Unpacking Malachi & Judaism

Pastor Kenny Adenugba (Commonwealth of Grace) Adenugba lamented how the church has become "money mongers." He clarified that Malachi 3 was about agricultural produce, not cash. "The tithe at that time was not about money. It was about produce... It is an error to say that anyone who does not give tithe will not make heaven. There are people who are not paying tithe and they are successful."

Pastor Olukayode Oyedepo (Loveesquad Community Church) Oyedepo tackled the "Abraham gave tithes" argument. "Christians are not Jewish. Abraham, who gave tithe... gave it to Melchizedek once and he did not pass it on to anyone to practice, even his children who inherited his blessings never gave tithe." He concluded that the controversies exist because modern Christians fail to separate ancient Judaism from Christianity.

EDITORIAL ANALYSIS

A Watershed Moment for Nigerian Christianity

The unified positive response from both the Catholic Church and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) underscores the gravity of Pastor Adeboye's retraction. In a landscape often fractured by doctrinal disputes and the monetization of ministry, his willingness to publicly correct himself has provided a profound teaching moment.

This apology goes far beyond a single misstatement about tithing. It has opened the door for deep theological introspection across all denominations. By bringing the conversation back to the New Testament tenets of grace, peace, and holiness—and moving away from transactional Old Testament laws—Adeboye has inadvertently catalyzed a theological reformation that many independent pastors have been quietly praying for.

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