2015-03-28 13:21:00

Nigerian Catholic Bishop challenges Catholic laity to participate in politics


Nigeria’s Catholic Bishop of  Kafanchan, Joseph Bagobiri has challenged the lay faithful to rise to the occasion and fulfil their mandate of participating in politics, “Your voice is not being heard even in the domain where you are supposed to be most active by virtue of your vocation and mission. Your Catholic Social Forum chapters seem to be moribund in most dioceses. There is a certain spirit of culpable lethargy prevalent among you,” the Bishop declared.

Bishop Bagobiri made this observation in his keynote address to declare open the National Executive Council Meeting of the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN), held recently in Kafanchan Diocese, Kaduna State. He spoke on the topic: “Church in Nigeria: Quo Vadis.”

The Bishop also stressed the need for a policy focus by the Church to guide the lay faithful in the discharge of their civic duties and the nation’s social order, noting that the Church cannot be indifferent to what happens in the society.

“Through the laity the Church has a duty to take an active part in public life and to contribute towards the attainment of the common good of the entire human family,” the Bishop said.

The local ordinary of Kafanchan Diocese further stated, “The Church sees politics as a portent  and strong force that when employed positively can advance the common good in no small manner, ”  Bishop Bagobiri emphasised.

Using several documents to buttress his point, Bishop Bagobiri while stressing that Bishops and priests should not be directly involved in partisan politics however noted that the clergy should sensitise and conscientise the lay faithful in their duty.

The Bishop further said that the Church’s right to be involved in politics is better served with the promotion of  broad-based consensus in society.

Bishop Bagobiri described politics as part of the vocation of the laity in the world adding: “Inspired by the Gospel, they (laity) have the duty to engage the political community on issues of justice, corruption, quality leadership, economic well-being, housing, education, health care, security and any other intervention that helps towards genuine humanisation of the person.”

(CathNews Nigeria)

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