“We Don’t Respect Age”— Pastor Iren on Tattoo Controversy

Pastor Iren has addressed the recent public backlash against his fellow clergyman, Kingsley Okonkwo, over a tattoo, using the moment to call for greater respect and character among Christians.

In a recent sermon, Pastor Iren cautioned that believers often use scripture as a cover to justify disrespectful behaviour. He argued that upholding truth should never be a license for insulting others or showing disregard for age and dignity.

He pointed to the online criticism directed at a 50-year-old man (implied to be Pastor Okonkwo) over a personal decision. The pastor expressed dismay at how many young people, particularly from Generation Z, responded with insults and abusive language.

“We have a problem,” he stated, noting that personal disagreements on subjective matters should not lead to hateful reactions. He questioned why Christians would speak disrespectfully to elders, using phrases like “Oga, commot for here,” and labelled such conduct as poor character.

Pastor Iren also shared concerning anecdotes from his counselling sessions, revealing that some Christians engage in behaviour even non-believers would condemn. He cited instances where couples in relationships exchange intimate photos and later threaten to leak them after a breakup.

He described such actions as fundamentally unacceptable, stating they violate basic human decency beyond just Christian principles.

The pastor further observed that even atheists often adhere to certain moral boundaries, like not abusing women a standard he noted some Christians fail to meet.

Concluding his message, Pastor Iren urged believers to introspect and improve their interactions with one another. He emphasized that genuine faith should cultivate love, respect, and maturity, not insults and aggression.