Popular Catholic priest and social commentator, Rev. Fr. John Chinenye Oluoma, has strongly rejected the widely held belief in “stolen destiny,” describing it as a misleading narrative rooted in ignorance and religious manipulation.

In a Facebook post shared on Wednesday, Fr. Oluoma criticized the tendency among some Christians to blame personal setbacks or failures on alleged spiritual theft, often attributed to “destiny stealers.”

He cited the biblical story of Esau and Jacob—often referenced in discussions about stolen destinies—as a misused example. According to the priest, proponents of the belief frequently interpret Esau’s loss of his birthright and blessing as evidence of a stolen destiny, which he argues is a flawed understanding.

“If Esau lived today and ran to one of your ‘powerful prophets,’ he would have been diagnosed with ‘stolen destiny’ and then given ‘destiny recovery’ prescriptions—marathon fasts, prayers, deliverance, and seed sowing,” he wrote.

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Fr. Oluoma noted that despite Esau’s biblical loss, he still went on to achieve material prosperity. He referenced Genesis 32, where Esau was seen returning with 400 men, a symbol of his wealth and influence. In Genesis 33, Esau even refused gifts from Jacob, saying, “I have plenty, keep what is yours.”

The priest emphasized that God’s purpose for individuals is not subject to human deception or manipulation, urging believers to stop equating destiny with material success or parental blessings.

“What Jacob took from Esau was their biological father’s blessing. God is not Isaac—an old, blind man who needed bush meat pepper soup to bless and got deceived by a woman and her favourite son,” Fr. Oluoma said.

He warned that those who preach the idea of “stolen destiny” are themselves misleading others and potentially derailing their focus from real growth and responsibility.

“In fact, if there’s such a thing as stolen destiny, it would be those who programmed you to believe your destiny was stolen that are actually stealing your destiny,” he concluded.

Fr. Oluoma’s post has since sparked widespread debate online, drawing praise from many who view his message as a call for deeper faith and critical thinking within the Christian community.