Catholic clerics promoting politicians to be punished

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Catholic clerics in Nigeria have been cautioned against using their platforms to promote political parties and endorse political leaders.
President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin-City, Most Rev.(Dr) Augustine Obiora Akubueze, gave the warning on Sunday, in his address at the opening ceremony of the second Plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria holding at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu.

He urged the Bishops to, henceforth, punish any cleric who violates the order.
Speaking on the church and politicians, Archbishop Akubueze said that the church does not support any political party but praises any government that priotises the welfare of the people.
“The church is keenly interested in the political situation in the country. The church condemns vehemently any government policies that are not people-friendly. We must make it clear again that no cleric is expected to use his position or eccliastiasrical property for promoting what appears to be partisan politics.
“The church strongly believes that all political parties do have someone or persons that can do that. There is no party monopoly of good leaders, there is no party monopoly of bad leaders. At the same time, it is not the practice of the church to identify unelected leaders through some forms of prophetic visions or dreams or revelations,” he said.
Catholic clerics promoting politicians to be punished
Archbishop Akubueze said that,” no one who speaks as a cleric represents the church when he pronounced a particular candidate as God’s appointed political leader.
“The role of clerics is to educate the people to choose leaders who would work for the good of humanity.
“We call on all Diocesean Bishops to ensure that appropriate action is taken immediately when any priest or religious violates the order.

On the situation of things in Nigeria, Archbishop Akubueze observed that the government was not doing well. He commended Nigerians for their patience, noting that Nigerians were bearing high level of depreciation, depreciation of niara, shortage of food because of herders- farmers crisis, insecurity of lives and property, insensitivity and lack of federal government’s response to the cries of the people in areas of infrastructure, justice among others
He called for a constitutional reform that will respect the rights of every Nigerian and provide equal opportunity to the people.

“The right to self determination should follow a civilized pattern and should not be demonized ” ,he said.
The CBCN president urged the government not to criminalise those people who disagree with them.
He observed with dismay that the Federal Government has changed Service Chiefs after most Nigerians had cried out loudly for change but the change has not yet produced desired results.
The cleric noted that the electoral reform in Nigeria must align with global best practises.
He, therefore, urged the electorate to hold their leaders accountable
Catholic clerics promoting politicians to be punished
On COVID-19, he thanked God for protecting Nigeria against the death toll of COVID-19.””God has been good to us. But we, on our part must do what is expected of us. Let us not take COVID-19 for granted. People should always observe the COVID-19 established protocols for the prevention and spread of the virus .
He expressed the gratitude of CBCN to the Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese , His Excellency, Most Rev.(Dr) Callistus Onaga, the Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. Obodo, the Bishop Emeritus, Gbuji, the priests, the religious, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, his deputy, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo and the people of Enugu for their support to the Bishops, saying “We were very well received”
He also thanked Papal Nuncio, Antonio Guido Filipazzi, for working closely with them , Pope Francis for always being close to them in prayers, saying, ” Often times , he had spoken against the plight of the poor and suffering victims of kidnapping around the world including Nigeria. There is no doubt that the prayers of Pope Francis and that of many other men and women of goodwill is helping Nigeria moving on”,
On recent events in Nigeria, he recalled the deaths of some Catholic Bishops ,which included, Archbishop Emeritus,Most Rev. Jatto, of the Archdiocese of Kaduna, who died on December 16, 2020, Bishop Emeritus Obinna Ochiagha, of Orlu Diocese ,who died on December 29, 2020, Bishop Albert Ayede, Bishop Emeritus of Ijebu Ode Diocese, who died on June 29, 2020, and prayed for the repose of their souls and immortalisation.

Archbishop Akubueze announced that Pope Francis appointed Three Auxiliary Bishops, Most Rev. Lukas Gotep of Minna Diocese, Bishop of David Machang Lafia Diocese , Bishop Victor Nwoye Chukwu of Abakiliki Diocese, and assured them of their support and prayers.
He thanked their predecessors for working tirelessly for the local church.
The cleric urged people to have faith in God and imbibe the virtue of hope , which allows us to have happiness in God “I want us to have hope for a better tommorow”, he said

Earlier while praying over the kolanuts, Cardinal Francis Arinze prayed for peace, fairness and justice in Nigeria. He also prayed for the growth of the church.
In his

In his remarks, the representative of the Pope in Nigeria, Most Rev. Filipazzi, applauded Ugwuanyi for always cooperating with the Church in its work of evangelism.

Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, who was represented by Ugwuanyi, in his
goodwill message, extended reverential greetings to the Papal Nuncio, Antonio Guido Filipazzi, all the Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops.
“Our Vice President, an esteemed and urbane Statesman, is widely acknowledged for his manifest practice of the Christian Faith and has requested that I convey his best wishes for a very memorable Second Plenary Meeting of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria”.

The governor, who called for a minute silence in honour of the wife of late Dr. Michael I. Okpara, the former Premier of Eastern Region, Mrs. Adamma Okpara, who died in the early hours of Sunday, pointed out that his administration, at inception, committed Enugu State to the Hands of God, adding that “we have continued to seek His Hands in all we do”.

While appreciating the Bishops for choosing Enugu State for the spiritually auspicious event, Ugwuanyi thanked “the Catholic Church and the entire members of the Body of Christ in the State and beyond for their unceasing prayers, wise counsel, support and solidarity all these years”.

He assured them that his administration will continue to serve the people of the state with the fear of God, expressing optimism that the religious event will herald blessings for the government and people of Enugu State.

Also in his goodwill message, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, who was represented by the Dean, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Buba Ali Lamido, stressed the need for cooperation of the Churches.
He said that they would make a positive impact when the work together He asked the Catholic Church to count on them ,” as we fight the good fight” for the salvation of mankind,.
The Primate was optimistic that God will hear the message of the Church as a result of the Plenary Meeting.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of the event, Sir John Nnia Nwodo, lamented the injustice, social strata gap in the society and poverty rate in Nigeria.
He advocated that people should go into agriculture, commending the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese Most Rev(Dr) Callistus Onaga for establishing a farm in Udi.
He urged the federal government to tackle insecurity in the country and give every body sense of belonging.

The chairman, who was the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, said that the country faced various challenges and offered ways forward.

Earlier in his sermon at the Opening mass, the Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Most Rev( Dr) Callisus Onaga, who spoke on the Theme,” Will you also go away?”, noted that Joshua’s rite of covenant renewal for the Israelites, as they prepare to settle in Promised land , underscores their promise of fidelity to the Lord and rejection of idolatry/ pagan worship.
Bishop Onaga condemned the resurgence of neo-paganism in Nigeria.
He noted that “there is a growing decline of public morals and the encroaching of secular and ungodly ideologies in Christian sacred spaces. He urged people to go back to God
He condemned injustice that was meted on certain group in the country, saying that challenges of insecurity, injustice, kidnapping, banditory, rape, unemployment, bandictory should be tackled to restore peace and unity in the country, through justice.
The bishop appealed to agitators to use a better way to drive home their grievances, rather than locking down the south east zone. He also condemned the federal government’s lopsided way of tackling crimes
Bishop Onaga called for fair hearing for all agitators in detention .
He thanked all who contributed in organizing the Bishops’ conference, the chief host, Enugu State governor, Rt. Hon.(Dr) Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and prayed that God will continue to give him the strength to govern the people of Enugu State.
In his vote of thanks, the Bishop of Umuahia Diocese and Apostolic Administrator of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, expressed gratitude to Ugwuanyi for representing the Vice President and conveying his goodwill message to them.

The Bishop commended Ugwuanyi for his presence at the occasion, goodwill message and hospitality, saying: “We have been privileged to have enjoyed since we arrived the Coal City. His (Ugwuanyi) developmental strides in Enugu State since he assumed office as the Governor of Enugu State are very impressive; please keep it up”.
Catholic clerics promoting politicians to be punished
Dignitaries at the event included Francis Cardinal Arinze; the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke; the host Bishop, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga; the Religious, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu; Former Deputy SSenator Ike Ekweremadu; Senator Sir Victor Umeh and his wife, Prisca; Hon. Prince Cornelius Nnaji; and Hon. Dennis Amadi.

Others included former Minister of Aviation, Amb. Mrs. Fidelia Njeze; Secretary to the Enugu State Government and Director-General, South East Governors Forum, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya; the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, Prof. Malachy Okwueze and other members of the State Executive Council (EXCO); Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Office of the Vice President, Hon. Nkechi Chukwueke; the Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council, HRH Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu; former Federal Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Odengene Airshuttle Services, Chief Evarest Nnaji; and the Chaplain, Enugu State Government, Rev. Fr. Chinedu Ozoude, among others.

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