Bereaved Family Accuses Church Of ‘Bluntly’ Refusing To Bury Their Father For Not Paying Tithe

A bereaved family in Kebara, Yeghe in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State has been left forlorn and bemused after their church refused to conduct funeral rites on their late father because he did not pay his “tithe complete” before his sudden demise.

THE WHISTLER gathered that the deceased, who was known as Mr. James Pyabari, was sick for some years before his death which occurred on Monday 25th January 2021- a reason the family gave as responsible for his inability to pay his tithe in full.

According to his son, Lekara James, who spoke to THE WHISTLER, the family is sad that the church would hold it against his father who did his best while alive.

He said :”My family consulted with the Church to bury my late Dad either on Tuesday, January 26th or Wednesday 27th due to our present financial state but the Priest and his Council bluntly said no to our plea.

“Honestly, we lack the money to meet up the lofty requirement as requested by the church before our father can be buried.

“This is the height of selfishness and wickedness for a church to met to their member who is no more. Their interest is on money that is why they’ve refused to bury my father.

“The church 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 my father. Simply because he didn’t pay his tithe complete. And my late father has contributed a lot to the church while he was alive. The reason behind their refusal to bury him because of incomplete tithe payment still baffles us owing to the fact he has been on sick bed for years and they are all aware.

“Also, he is not a civil servant but he did his best for the church while he was alive”.

Lekara claimed that the church also failed to visit his family during the trying times their late father was battling with illness.

He further appealed to leaders in the area to prevail on the church authority to accord his late father the final honour as a devote member of the church.

The church priest could not be reached as he did not responded to calls and messages sent to him.