Catholic Bishops spoke for Nigerians, not politics — Archbishop Onuoha

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The National President of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Most Rev. Dr. David O. C. Onuoha, has criticised the Presidency’s reaction to the recent submission by the Catholic Bishops, describing the response as unfortunate.

Speaking with Very Nigerian n Owerri on Thursday, Onuoha said the bishops were speaking on behalf of Nigerians and not pursuing any political agenda.

Onuoha said: “The truth remains that the Roman Catholic Bishops Conference spoke not for the Church or any other body, but for the entire nation.

“The matters they raised before the President were real, and affect every Nigerian, irrespective of tribe, religion or ethnicity.

Continuing, the cleric said: “Rather than castigate them or live in denial of the pain, suffering, hardship, poverty and insecurity that are a present reality in Nigeria today, the Federal Government should see the Church as a partner in the search for a Nigeria that works.

“Religious leaders are in constant touch with the people, both in the urban and rural areas. They live among them, and should be trusted for an unbiased assessment of how government policies affect the people of this nation.

“The President should be wary of those assistants and staff who make enemies for the administration in the guise of defending the government. Those around the President, who present false pictures of the situation of things in the country in order to keep their positions and offices, are the real enemies of the people.”

Answering another question, Archbishop Onuoha said: “Any leader, whose interest is for the good of the people he leads, is required to always be courageous enough to accept the truth no matter who says it or where it is coming from. As the bible has said, ‘you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free’.

“The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria should be commended for its constant, bold and courageous interventions for the wellbeing of the nation.

“To single out any of them for vilification is not the way to go. The implication of not listening to the voice of wisdom and reason, such as the one in issue, is the government’s unwillingness to make policies that will benefit the people. The consequences there from are better imagined than experienced.

“For the avoidance of doubt, government policies and reforms in the last three years have produced more adversity than prosperity. To review these policies for a more positive impact on the life of the people, and to ensure that people are safe and secure in the country, are not only desirable but also the basic expectations of the Nigerians.”