Uzodimma warns priests against partisan politics

The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, on Sunday requested Catholic bishops and archbishops to order monks changing pulpits to marketing campaign grounds to cease.

The governor additionally urged the clerics to warning monks who make inciting statements on the pulpits to chorus from doing so.

The governor who spoke in his handle on the opening ceremony of the 2022 Catholic Bishops Convention of Nigeria held in Orlu requested the prelates to make use of the chance of the convention to reaffirm the neutrality of the Church.

Uzodiinma stated whereas he was not in opposition to the members of the clergy talking in opposition to social ills and criticising the governments, clerics shouldn’t dabble in politics.

The governor stated, “Your Graces and Lordships, allow me to additionally level out, with each sense of duty, that I don’t suppose it’s proper for some members of the clergy to transform God’s home and the pulpit to the cleaning soap field for campaigns for his or her most popular candidates or events in an election season or anytime within the election cycle.

“Sadly, this has turn out to be the norm in a lot of our church buildings. My fear is that if the church drags itself into partisan politics, then it will have misplaced its ethical authority to preach as a result of it has made itself an celebration.

“Certainly, the church can’t be within the ethical pedestal to evangelise in opposition to sure conducts of the society if it has not gone by way of purification by purging itself of those that are diminishing its authority. I consider that true sanctification can solely come when the church presents itself as a dwelling testomony of excellent, neutral and temperate conduct. It’s my honest hope that certainly one of your resolutions from this convention will likely be to sentence members of the clergy who use their positions and the church for political ends.

“In the identical vein, some monks below your watch have by way of inciting sermons additionally taken it upon themselves to inflame passions, as a substitute of abating them. As well as, I’ve observed with dismay that some members of the clergy have additionally turn out to be open canvassers for separatism and secession. Sadly, in addition they use the sacred pulpit to do that. This shouldn’t be the case. The necessity for the church to stay on excessive ethical requirements consists of abstaining from fiery feedback that appear to focus on and promote our variations slightly than on the issues that unite us.

“This convention is holding in the present day as a result of Nigeria, although beset by insecurity in some elements, isn’t in a state of struggle. Irrespective of the imperfections of our republic and democracy, we’re nonetheless higher off in a united nation.

“To the glory of God, we’ve got an growing variety of political leaders who’re dedicated to addressing these imperfections, particularly because it considerations fairness and justice, so we are able to construct the proper nation all of us need. And I can guarantee you that it is just a matter of time earlier than that is achieved, On their half, Church leaders ought to proceed to advertise the unity of the nation and never its division.

“I wholly perceive that monks have the suitable and responsibility to carry our leaders and governments accountable, and no person will ever cease a priest from condemning the ills within the society, together with dangerous governance and corruption. My place shouldn’t be misinterpreted as an try and rob them of this ethical authority that they’ve loved because the starting of time.

“I, subsequently, attraction to your Graces and Lordships to carry up these considerations of mine in the middle of your deliberations through the convention. It is necessary that you just reaffirm the church’s neutrality on political issues and, thereafter, warning the monks to not dabble into partisan politics. Above all, they need to additionally desist from fanning the embers of disunity within the nation.

“Your Excellencies, as a baptised Catholic, I’ve each respect not just for the Church however for the monks and all the management. As my religious fathers, I draw a number of inspiration from you, individually and collectively. Thus, I’d be unhappy to witness something that tends to weaken or erode your authority and reverence.

“I’m certain that the present management of the Catholic Bishops Convention of Nigeria will work tougher to strengthen its arms to make them aware of the yearnings of the trustworthy. Going by your programmes, I’m additionally hopeful that you’ll handle among the contending and modern points in our nation in the present day. As at all times, I’ve little doubt that your objective is to make Nigeria a greater place not just for Catholics however for each Nigerian.”