By Ayodele Oni
What would make an otherwise revered Bishop of the Anglican Communion, throw his reputation and integrity to the dogs, and engage in sexual activities with the wife of his subordinate?
That is the Billion Dollar question His Lordship, the Rt. Rev. Rufus Adepoju, the Anglican Bishop of Ekiti West needs to answer.
The Bishop has been caught in a web of sex scandal. As a result, he has been suspended, for one year, by the Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba.
In suspending him, Ndukuba said he was upholding the sanctity of the Church.
Adepoju’s suspension is unprecedented, and his alleged sexual misconduct, shameful.
The suspended Bishop was caught in an inappropriate situation with the wife of a Priest under him.
In his letter of suspension dated December 11, 2020, and personally signed by the Primate, Adepoju was said to have been caught with the wife of the Priest in a sexual misconduct.
He has admitted wrong doing.
His suspension letter reads:
“We write with a deep sense of concern and pain to suspend you from office as the Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ekiti West.
“This is sequel to your conduct giving just cause for scandal and abhorrent sexual behaviour with the wife of a Priest under your employment and care.
“These facts were admitted by you in a meeting in our office held on Thursday, December 10, 2020.
“By this suspension, you are not to partake in any activity of the Diocese as the Diocesan Bishop for a period of one (1) with effect from the date of this letter.
“Please, report and handover to your Archbishop for further spiritual guidance.”
The letter was copied to all relevant authorities in the Anglican Communion, including the Dean of the Church of Nigeria and the Archbishop of Ondo Diocese.
What is not yet known is the fate og his sexual partner, the Priest’s wife, or the fate of the suspended Bishop’s wife. One of the reasons any spouse is permitted, in the Anglican Communion to seek for divorce is on the grounds of adultery.
Opinion is that it would take a miracle for both marriages to still subsist, just as it would be a miracle for Adepoju to remain a Bishop after his one year suspension.
Adepoju, 57, was enthroned Bishop of Ekiti West, on June 27, 2017.
