By Lawrence Oyibo
Reactions have trailed the viral sermon of a Catholic Priest in the Abuja Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. John Chinenye Oluoma, who alleged that popular gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo now charges N10 million to perform in churches.
The video which is currently buzzing the cyberspace, has received interests from internet users especially on Twitter, who had either aligned with the priest or opposed his assertions.
In the video, the priest who was decrying how religious worship has become costly, berated gospel musicians who demand huge payments to perform in a place of worship.
“We have made religious worship expensive. If I have to bring Mercy Chinwo to come here and sing, how much will I pay her? How much does a gospel artiste of Mercy Chinwo’s status charge to come to an event or in a Church, it has reached N10m now.
“This is the tragedy that we have turned Christianity into, that an artiste will come to a church and lead in ten minutes praise and worship for N10m, N5m. So if that particular artiste doesn’t sing Jesus you love me too much, that means God didn’t love you too much?
Mercy Chinwo now charges N10m to perform in churches – Rev Fr Oluomo says pic.twitter.com/e4TL6Sbigk
— GistReel.Com (@GistReel) June 8, 2023
“And some people were asking should they be paid? Why didn’t you pay them? If you must bring them, you must pay them because what you are bringing them for, is entertainment. We have turned worship into entertainment.”
Joining the conversation, the Senior Pastor, Covenant Nation and Convener, The Platform Nigeria, Pastor Poju Oyemade in a post on his official Twitter account, wrote, “Mercy Chinwo @MMercychinwo sang at our service at Lekki last Sunday and the honorarium we gave was at our discretion. She made NO formal charges.”
Mercy Chinwo @MMercychinwo sang at our service at Lekki last Sunday and the honorarium we gave was at our discretion. She made NO formal charges. https://t.co/bEOCKaRtxe
— POJU OYEMADE (@pastorpoju) June 8, 2023
Other reactions obtained from Twitter users read below.
@jaminijuice said, “The fact that she now tells church that the N10 million is none negotiable is what I find very ungodly. Like “If you can not afford 10 million I’m not coming.” Really? That’s not a good attitude for a true minister of God.”
@VenturesRainbow, “She should do it for free if she is truly following Jesus steps! Using the name of God to make money!”
@Iyado0806, “Band that uses your equipment, her band don’t even have a bus sef . It her and the husband that enjoys. Very selfish.”
@lordleomax, “You invite her, she comes with her band which she has to rehearse with, they all fly, lodge, and she has to pay them. How much is all these. And she does this every other day. So how would she meet her own needs and lead a fulfilled life..that’s why they run to secular 😁 😁 😁
@SirDavidBent, “Pastors & prophets are allowed to fly private jets, enjoy the goodies of life while still performing their duties as ministers of God, but musicians like Mercy Chinwo should perform for free because it’s a God-given talent? This is why many church instrumentalists are poor. If you can’t afford a gospel musician like Mercy Chinwo, then go for the artistes you can afford. There’s no need trying to guilt trip her for charging for a service. The church has long turned to a business venture, thus, musicians should be paid well too.”
@formax122, “Mercy Chinwo is NOT a charity organisation. If you need her service, please pay for it as she has bills to pay for. We are still enslaved ourselves with manythings inadvertently. We are so proud of the religion of the people who enslaved our forefathers.
@uchebakaadi, “Father Speaking out of ignorance of biz ethics, u must not necessarily “invite” a Mercy Chinwo, nurture members of ur own congregation to b d next Mercy. Using ur lofty position to castigate another person’s biz seems personal. Please let’s b circumspect when speaking to laity.”
Meanwhile, a look through the official social accounts of Mercy Chinwo, the singer is yet to respond to the statement by Father Oluoma.
The 31 years old songwriter and multiple award winner, is married to Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, the resident pastor of The Waterbrook Church, Lagos.
