38 million Members Of Catholic Laity Council In Solidarity With Nigerian Bishops Over Criticism Of Tinubu's Administration
The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, CLCN, says that it's 38 million members are standing in solidarity with the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and Cardinal John Onaiyekan over their reaction following the outcome of their meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, last Tuesday.
The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, CLCN, says that it's 38 million members are standing in solidarity with the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and Cardinal John Onaiyekan over their reaction following the outcome of their meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, last Tuesday.
The council spoke in a statement jointly signed by both its National President and Knight of St Mulumba, Sir Ambrose Obioha and the Secretary General, Mr Francis Olayinka Ojo, on Sunday.
The statement titled, "On The Alleged Breach Of Trust By His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan; The Prophetic Role of the Church,," read, "The National Executive Council of the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, CLCN, representing members of over 38 million Catholic Laity in Nigeria, has taken note of the Presidency's reaction to the interview granted by His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, regarding the recent private meeting between His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, CBCN.
"We wish to state as follows: The Catholic Church in Nigeria, by virtue of the Gospel and Catholic Special Teaching, has a God- given duty to speak to power; to defend the vulnerable and to hold leadership accountable with truth and charity. This is not "abuse of privilege" but the fulfillment of pastoral responsibility.
"The bishops, priests and the Laity are called to be the "Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World," Matthew 5 (13-14), even in the Corridors of Power.
On Privacy and Public Interest
" While, we respect the sanctity of private engagements; matters of that touch on the life, welfare and future of over 200 million Nigerians can not remain forever in closed rooms. When national issues of economy, security and justice are discussed, the people have a right to know the direction of the leadership. Cardinal Onaiyekan did not reveal secrets. He shared the moral concerns of the Church and the response of government which is in the public interest.
No Malice, Only Concern
" We know Cardinal Onaiyekan to be a man of peace, dialogue and integrity. His intervention was not to embarrass government but to call on the Nation to Conscience. A disagreement over the facts as the Presidency rightly noted, should not be read as arrogance, neither should a pastoral reflection be read as a breach of trust.
Church and State Partners In Nation Building
"CLCN believes that government and church must continue to work together for the common good. We urge both the Presidency and the Church to sustain channels of dialogue. Nigeria needs moral voices now more than ever.
Conclusion
"We stand in solidarity with His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria. We call on all Nigerians to pray for our leaders and to support policies that bring relief to the poor, security to our communities and justice to all. May God bless Nigeria. May God bless the Catholic Church in Nigeria."
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