Olatosho Mathew Oshoffa, the tenth son and twentieth child of the late Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) founder Bilewu Oshoffa, has stated that although the Biblical stance is one man, one wife, polygamy is not forbidden among shepherds in the church.
In an interview with a well-known print publication, he discussed the many controversial topics surrounding his late father, Bilewu Oshoffa. When questioned about the controversy surrounding his father’s number of wives and children, Olatosho responded:
“My father passed away on September 10, 1985. He left behind 13 wives and 53 children. Despite various claims stating otherwise, we, the children, are aware of our true numbers. We know which wives gave birth to which children. We maintain a strong familial bond, united in love and harmony, despite our size. While the number of children is indeed 53, we remain united in one love and spirit”.
When discussing the feasibility of all 53 children of his late father being united, he mentioned:
“Our father, during his time with us, would assemble us and advise, ‘Never identify solely as a son or daughter of any specific wife of mine. Instead, recognize yourselves as children of Oshoffa.’ This approach fostered a strong sense of unity among us. We don’t view ourselves as offspring of individual mothers, but rather as children of Oshoffa, bound together by love.
“And that is the same way we related when he (Oshoffa) was still in this world and has been doing after his demise. Even as of today, the remaining Oshoffa wives that were younger to my mother, I still refer to them as my mother, because of the love that our father (Oshoffa) has used to bind us together. So, we all remain one as SBJ Oshoffa children”.
