The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, on Sunday, warned clerics to avoid every form of political endorsement using the ecclesiastical positions given to them.
The body noted that it was not the practice of the church to identify unelected leaders through some form of prophetic visions, dreams or revelations as well as pronounce a particular candidate as God’s anointed political leader.
The bishops also warned the Federal Government against demonising the right to self-determination in the midst of worsening insecurity in the country.
They noted that the right to self-determination should instead follow a civilised pattern rather than demonising it, just as they said the call for constitutional reforms that respect the rights of every Nigerian and provide opportunities for equal access to the resources of the country was something that should be debated fairly.
The President, CBCN, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze, gave the warning in his address during the opening Mass of the second plenary of the group in Enugu on Sunday.
Akubueze noted that the church was keenly interested in the political situation in the country, even as he said that it did not support any political party, but would praise every government that prioritises the welfare of the citizens.
While he explained that Catholic Church would condemn vehemently government policies that were not people-friendly, he said that it was unacceptable for any cleric to use his position or ecclesiastical property for promoting partisan politics.
He stated, “We must make it clear once again that no cleric is expected to use his position or ecclesiastical property for promoting what appears to be partisan politics. The church strongly believes that all political parties do have something or persons that can lead. There is no political party with a monopoly of good leaders. There is no political party with a monopoly of bad leaders.
“Therefore, it is imperative that clerics must avoid every form of political endorsement using the ecclesiastical positions given to them. At the same time, it is not the practice of the church to identify unelected leaders through some form of prophetic visions or dreams or revelations. The church does not and no one who speaks as a cleric represents the church when he pronounces a particular candidate as God’s anointed political leader.
“The role of clerics is to educate the people to choose leaders who will work for the good of humanity. We call on diocesan bishops to ensure that appropriate actions are taken immediately when any priest or religious violates this traditional Catholic belief.”
On the situation in the country, the bishops commended Nigerians for their patience in the face of what they described as “repeated government failure to meet the minimum requirement of governance.”
“Nigerians are bearing a high level of inflation, depreciation of the naira, increased poverty, shortage of food because of herders/farmers’ crisis, insecurity to life and property, insensitivity and lack of Federal Government response to the cries of many Nigerians in the area of economic revolution and structural development through eradication of corruption, avoidance of selective sectional appointments to important federal positions,” Akubeze stated.
