The Executive Council of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) with international headquarters in Calabar, Southern Nigeria, has excommunicated four of its members, cautioning the public against dealing with them as members of the fold.
The names of the four were given in a statement signed by the spokesman of the spiritual organisation, Patriarch (Dr) Amah Williams, dated 1st September 2024, as Sister Anne Ewa (alias Anne Olwora), Brother Kingsley Asu (alias King Asu), Brother Bassey Effiong Orok and Brother Sampson Harvey.
According to the statement, the four have rebuffed several calls and opportunities given them to retrace their steps countless times.
The four were accused of engaging in rebellious activities, disobedience to the hierarchy of the fold, and non-adherence to the doctrines, ethics, norms and divine practices of the organisation.
They were advised not to portray themselves as members of the fold, cautioning members, too, against recognising or dealing with them as such.
The organisation further advised their administrators to internally publicise the banishment, which takes immediate effect.
Part of the ex-communication order states, “The decision to excommunicate the four was reached by the BCS Executive Council in conjunction with members of the Incorporated Trustees after a thorough consideration of all matters regarding the disobedience, rebellious and non-adherence to the doctrines, ethics, norms and practices of BCS as the Universal Spiritual School of Practical Christianity.
“The above-named persons’ actions on social media and other misdemeanours fall short of the expectations of a member of BCS and run fowl of their ordination vows.
“They have countless times rebuffed several calls and opportunities given them to them to retrace their steps.
“This is intolerable within our sacred institution. Hence, the executive Council had on 30th August 2024 excommunicated the named persons. By this, they have ceased to be members of BCS.”
The first time the organisation similarly excommunicated members for acts of rebellion was in 2001.
Reacting, two of those banished, Bassey Effiong Orok and Kingsley Asu insisted they remain members.