Bishops under the aegis of the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, Archbishops, Apostles and Senior Clergy have disagreed with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, over his warning that men should not marry women who cannot cook.
Adeboye gave the warning while sharing marital guidelines for young men during the May edition of the Holy Ghost Service on Saturday.
He cautioned that marrying based solely on beauty or ignoring practical considerations could lead to what he described as a “deep trap.”
The cleric stressed that spiritual discernment and domestic competence should take precedence over physical attraction and social status, warning men not to be carried away by outward appearance.
He warned that relying on beauty alone in choosing a spouse could lead to wrong decisions, noting that physical attraction without deeper considerations could result in regret.
Citing Sarah and the Shunamite woman as biblical examples of hospitable women, Adeboye advised men not to marry women who lack cooking skills, stressing that such domestic competence remains important in marriage.
Commenting on the warning, the International Secretary of the Bishops, Archbishop Osazee William, disagreed with Adeboye’s position, describing it as a personal opinion rather than a scriptural standard.
William, while speaking with Punch, questioned whether cooking ability should be a determining factor in marriage, noting that men can also cook.
He clarified that his position was not a direct opposition to Adeboye but a differing perspective on the issue.
The President of the International Fellowship of Ecumenical Ministries argued that cooking ability should not be used as a major yardstick for marriage, noting that character and values are more important.
He stated that placing emphasis on cooking skills alone could be misleading, adding that individuals without such skills could learn over time.
William further questioned the relevance of cooking as a sole معيار for marriage, noting that a person could be skilled in cooking but lack good character or hygiene.
He emphasised that marriage decisions should be based on godly character, industriousness and overall values rather than domestic ability alone.
According to him, economic realities have also reshaped family roles, with some women serving as breadwinners and having limited time for domestic duties.
He noted that in such situations, couples could adopt practical solutions, including hiring domestic help, rather than making cooking a strict condition for marriage.
Earlier at the programme, Adeboye also advised men to reconsider marriage plans if a prospective bride insists on a wedding that could plunge them into debt.
He warned against proceeding with expensive ceremonies that could create financial burdens, urging moderation in wedding planning.
On personal appearance, the cleric cautioned against excessive use of cosmetics, including artificial hair, eyelashes and nails, advising men to look beyond outward beauty.
He warned that excessive adornment could conceal true identity, urging men to be discerning in their choices of partners.
Adeboye also referenced biblical teachings to support his position, noting that excessive makeup could sometimes be a sign of concealment.
