Bushiri takes a swipe at Omotoso
‘Church must offer refuge not abuse’
Churches should be places of refuge for the marginalised‚ women and children‚ Prophet Shepherd Bushiri said yesterday, reflecting on Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso, who faces criminal charges. “The church is supposed to be a solution. People who are abused are supposed to run to the church to find help‚ courage‚ a shoulder and counselling‚” said Bushiri. Omotoso is on trial with with two co-accused on 63 charges ranging from racketeering to sexual assault and rape. “If the church is being a problem‚ where will the people run to?”
Bushiri was addressing the media after the launch of his six books. The event took place late on Tuesday afternoon after Bushiri made his grand entrance only five hours later. He told his audience that he had written about the role of the church, where women and children are supposed to be protected. Bushiri is the leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church and also heads the Shepherd Bushiri Investments‚ which has a number of businesses.
He said he was relieved that the books were finally released. “I feel like a baby is born because it took so much time to write these books.” Bushiri has written and published 10 books this year. His publicists state he has published 32 books since 2015. An estimated 450 guests attended the launch at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park. Among those who attended the launch was a wheelchairbound woman. Rose Hibatla‚ 65‚ who travelled from Pretoria‚ said she was a “read-aholic”. “I love reading my father’s [Bushiri’s] books. He is a talented writer. When I read his books‚ I grow spiritually‚ physically and emotionally‚” Hibatla told, Sowetan sister publication, TimesLIVE. Bushiri‚ 34‚ indicated that three more books were in the pipeline. Self-discovery‚ leadership and youth development are some of the topics to be covered in his next books. “The books are most likely to be published next year.”