Manny Ita
Leaders of the Celestial Church of Christ have condemned a viral video showing media personality James Brown wearing a female sutana during a prayer session at a parish. In the clip, which circulated widely on social media, James Brown was seen receiving prayers while dressed in a garment typically worn by female worshippers.
The Celestial Reality Check, a verified CCC Facebook page, clarified that James Brown’s visit was not for deliverance but for prayers for success and blessings. The statement explained that the pastor overseeing the parish, Prophet Eze Timothy of CCC Orisun Iye Parish, Ogun State, was aware that James Brown is male and has a preference for cross-dressing, but emphasized that the prayer session was genuine and not staged. The page warned that the viral spread of such footage could normalize “abnormalities” and called on the CCC Task-Force Office and Disciplinary Committee to provide guidance.
Several church clerics expressed strong disapproval of the video. Segun Glorious described it as “not reflecting CCC doctrinal beliefs,” adding that the clip exploited the church for content and harmed its image while construction of the building was ongoing. Michael Abatanwa posted that James Brown’s actions were “inappropriate” and that the pastor who permitted it should be “held accountable,” stressing that such behavior should not be tolerated in any CCC parish worldwide.
Social media users also criticized James Brown’s appearance. One commenter described it as “shameful” to see a man wear a female sutana, while others questioned why he was allowed inside the church in such attire, posting comments such as “What did I just watch?” and “Deliverance indeed — why is he wearing women’s garment?”
The sutana is a traditional garment in Celestial Church worship, with specific designs for male and female members, and deviations from this norm often attract strong reactions from congregants. James Brown has recently drawn attention for his personal and spiritual choices, which continue to generate discussion online.
