A leading Pentecostal church in the country, the Redeemed Christian Church  of God (RCCG) has issued a directive compelling members intending to get married to subject themselves to what it called: “genital test.”

The directive, the church said, was intended as a measure against “the recurrence of cases of marital crises resulting from falsehood, especially in the case of undeclared or unconfessed reproductive/genital status.”

The church’s directive is contained in a document dated May 10, 2018, signed by Pator J. F. Odeola for the General Overseer.

The document labelled “memo,” from Assistant General Overseer (Admin & Personnel), with reference: RCCG/PERS/IFO/AD/MENO/10/05/2018, has as subject: Directive on pre-marital examination.

The “memo” reads: “Calvary greetings in Jesus’ name.

“The Mission Authority has observed the recurrence of cases of marital crises resulting from falsehood, especially in the case of undeclared or unconfessed reproductive/genital status. We have the directive of the General Overseer to instruct the entire Mission’s outpost that forthwith, pre-marital medical examination for intending couples should also include genital test.

“Further, Provinces are requested to register with particular (trusted) government approved hospital for the various pre-marital examinations for intending couples.

“Remain blessed in this season of songs and victory in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Efforts to get clarification, as regard what the church’s  definition of “genital test” implies,  was not successful as known court’s spokespersons declined to comment on the issue.

The Nation.