PCC: Controversy Surrounds Rev. Wara’s Dismissal

Rev Solomon Wara, former Associate Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, PC Ngomgham in Bamenda now operates under a new canopy. Dismissed by the PCC hierarchy a week ago, the Reverend man of God staged a grand retreat at the Bamenda congress hall, last Sunday June 10, 2012. The heavily attended retreat, to observers sealed any chances of an appeal to the PCC decision to fire him from their ranks. Most of Rev Wara’s supporters told Chronicle that the sanction was too severe and uncalled for, and since qualified his sanctioning as ‘persecution’. Whereas PCC officials maintain that the Moderator’s decision which was in line with church doctrine had been long overdued.

When Chronicle stormed the Presbyterian Church centre at Ntamulung last Friday June 8, 2012 authorities averred that Rev Wara had duly been served with his dismissal letter.

Accordingly, he personally came to the church centre last week and received it, though he ‘pretended’ that it was a finance report he was served.

PCC officials further told Chronicle that it was the Moderator, Rt Rev Dr. Festus Ambe Asana who had been dragging his feet over the dismissal of Rev Wara: that even at the last PCC Synod when the Rev Wara issue came up, every member voted that he be dismissed. Yet, only Moderator Asana over-ruled that decision.

Chronicle was told that the Moderator expected Rev Wara to rescind from his ‘strange’ practices, sit-up and pulsate within the PCC norms. Yet, he continued. Chronicle was further told that the synod committee of the ministry, which is incharge of the worship life/liturgy of the church therefore, has no option.

Chronicle gathered that Prof Emmanuel Anyambod (Dean of the Protestant University for Central Africa), who is at the head of this committed haddispatched at least three (3) warning correspondences to Rev Wara. And his crime? To stop undertaking pentacostal-like format of worship and healing withinPCC. Worse still, he was faulted for running another parallel ministry within PCC. Rev Wara was summarily dismissed from PCC thus.

When Chroncile phoned Rev Wara’s office one of his secretaries responded that they first read about the dismissal on Chronicle. He said; ‘our hands are tied’, adding that ‘when you are under an authority and they decide…’. Rev Wara’s secretary told Chronicle that they are yet to take a decision as to the next step to take, adding that a firm decision would be unveiled after a retreat which they intend to stage soon.

Christians of PC Ngomgham have expressed mixed feelings over their Associate Pator’s dismissal. Mboni John, told Chronicle that no human being takes someone to salvation but the bible.  He said PCC would continue despite Rev Wara’s departure, which he said he is not the first. According to Mboni, Rev Wara has followers, yet, should they go with him, it would just be a light pinch to PCC.

Caroline Anyangwe, a PCC Christian though not of PC Ngomgham regretted Rev Wara’s departure. One elder at PC Ngomgham, who voted for anonymity, regretted the PCC decision. She inferred that if she was contacted, she would have advised otherwise. Simon Neba, another Christian said many other Christians were uncomfortable with the decision.

Rev Wara’s sacking had a major effect in the turnout of last Sunday’s church service. Many boycotted and preferred his retreat at the congress hall. PCC hierarchy feel Rev Wara has used the PCC pulpit to make his name. Chronicle gathered that the envy msut have been because of the numerous connections he personally has. Even before his destitution, he operated the Bible Centre Cameroon, BCC an institution with offices at Ntarinkon and Small Mankon. Wara’s supporters say because he heals and does things which PCC hierarchy has been unable to do; he had to be ‘persecuted’.