Church Not To Be Blame For Rising Marital Breakdowns – Cleric Declares

By Joseph Sunday

Professor Babafemi Ogunjemite from the Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure has broken silence about marital breakdown across the country, especially among young couples.

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A respected cleric and academician, Professor Babafemi Ogunjemite, said the Church should not be blamed for the worsening trend in marriages in the Country. Instead, he insisted that the real problem lies with individuals who have abandoned the divine foundation of marriage.

Speaking during an interview with newsmen on Sunday on the state of modern marriages, Ogunjemite described marriage as “an institution created by God,” adding that societal values have become so corrupted that many couples no longer follow the basic principles that sustain a home.

According to him, natural instincts for companionship remains the same, but the social system surrounding marriage has deteriorated. “Societal norms have corrupted the system, and that’s why we are facing many problems,” he said.

Responding to claims that churches contributed to rising divorce cases, the professor rejected such claim, arguing that the true Church remains committed to preserving marriages.

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He explained that while the Church is expected to guide couples and uphold Christian principles, many individuals in the Church today do not behave like true followers of Christ.

“I will not say the Church is the culprit. There are bad Christians within the organization who are not ready to obey the dictates of the Church,” he noted.

Ogunjemite also expressed concerns about pastors who he believes are not genuinely called by God.

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He warned that the rise of self-appointed clerics seeking personal gain has contributed to confusion in many Christian homes.

“There are many pastors called by their belly, not by God. They can do anything in the name of the Lord to sustain themselves,” he said, stressing that such figures mislead couples and weakened the institution of marriage.

Addressing why many women today struggle with the issue of submission in marriage, the professor attributed it to the spirit of the age, describing the modern era as one dominated by self-interest and pride.

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He argued that society’s emphasis on individual rights, self-esteem, and personal autonomy sometimes contradicts the mutual sacrifices required in marriage.

“In the last few days, men shall be lovers of themselves. This includes both men and women. People no longer want to yield to one another,” he explained.

On solutions to the growing rate of broken homes, Ogunjemite urged Christian couples to return to the Scriptures and rediscover God’s intention for marriage.

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He maintained that families can rebuild their homes if they reconnect with divine principles. “Let them go back to the foundation of God. Once they find themselves in the Lord and are ready to obey Him, the home can be restored,” he said.

When asked about non-Christians, the professor noted that people who do not subscribe to biblical principles often rely on worldly systems that offer no lasting stability.

He narrated the story of a former academic leader who married and divorced six times and now lives alone at nearly 90. “To him, a wife was like a commodity. If you don’t like her, change her,” he recalled, pointing to the consequences of living outside God’s purpose.

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Ogunjemite concluded by urging everyone, regardless of beliefs, to acknowledge their Creator. “Let every one of us remember that we did not create ourselves. God created us and has a purpose for our lives,” he said.

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