The Supreme Council of Bishops also know as World Council of Bishops, has reacted to the face-off between the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and the National Christian Elders’ Forum, CEF, over the former’s congratulatory visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Rev. Samson Ayokunle-led CAN had visited Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja last week to congratulate him on his reelection.
Against this backdrop, NCEF lambasted CAN for visiting Buhari to congratulate him on his reelection, since the president’s emergence was being contested in court.
NCEF-led by former Minister of Defence, Lt.Gen. Theophilus Danjuma(rtd) and Solomon Asemota faulted the visit which was described as “morally and spiritually reprehensible.”
Reacting to the face-off, the council charged both bodies to stop washing their “dirty linen in public.”
In a statement forwarded to DAILY POST through the global press release in World Episcopal headquarters in Houston, Texas, United States of America via Africa Episcopal headquarters in Lagos Nigeria, the Bishops urged both bodies to “embrace peace, love, understanding, and brotherly tolerance.”
The statement was endorsed by the Supreme Council of Bishops; the World Council of Bishops; The Global Advisory Board; the Global Council of Apostolic Nuncio (s); and the Prelate and its Deputies across all 7 continents of the world; the Central Executive Council Globally; all Regional and National Prelates Worldwide, and the General Assembly Worldwide.
The statement reads: “We are sad, and express Our great displeasure over the open confrontational statements via the media between the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Christian Elders’ Forum, as a result of the courtesy visit to President Muhammad Buhari in Aso Villa, in Abuja, on His Excellency’s reelection and victory at the just concluded Nigeria’s Presidential General Elections, coupled with CAN’s stands on the matter of Christians been sidelined on pivotal – key Federal Government Appointments and Positions as CAN’s reason for their visit to Mr. President.
“This has ensued between the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigeria Christian Elders’ Forum, thus has captured Our Ecclesiastical – Global attention as a Global Council of Bishops.
“Thus, such unnecessary misunderstanding between the above mentioned Christian organizations must not be encouraged nor tolerated, to this effect, The Supreme Council Of Bishops AKA World Council of Bishops, World Episcopal Headquarters, Houston, Texas, United States of America, and the Africa Episcopal Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria under the able Ecclesiastical Leadership of, His Eminence, Archbishop Dr. Polycarp Sunday, Supreme Founding Primate, and The Apostolic Nuncio To Africa Episcopal Headquarters, His Lordship, Bishop Dr. Jones Husein, Niamey, Niger Republic, and Our National Ecclesiastical Prelate To Nigeria Episcopacy, in Abuja, Nigeria, His Grace, Archbishop-Elect Dr. Tessy Daniels, and Our Ecclesiastical Prelate To Abuja Episcopacy, His Lordship, Bishop Dr. James Igoh, calls on the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Christian Elders’ Forum to trade with caution, and desist from washing their dirty linens or exposing their differences to public glare, and as such, this sudden ecclesiastical misunderstanding and rancour must stop!
“As we are one body of Christ globally, thus, agape – brotherly unfeigned love, temperance, forbearance and tolerance with wisdom must be manifested and embraced by both parties, as We are One Body of Christ and One Spirit of Unity binds Us All together.
“Furthermore, We enjoin Nigeria Christian Elders’ Forum to walk in Unity with the Christian Association of Nigeria in all Ecclesiastical, Governmental and Societal matters within the Christendom and the Body of Christ as far as Nigeria is concerned, though operating on an advisory – elderly role, it might interest the Nigeria Christian Elders’ Forum (NCEF) that the Christian Association of Nigeria is not answerable to her, nor does it take orders from her, but by understanding and Brotherly Love that binds Us All together Nigeria Christian Elders’ Forum can advise, but not before the public glare, as sensitive matters as these are best handled privately and in the Spirit of Love and with Godly Wisdom.
“In conclusion, We must All, as One Body of Christ nationwide and globally be well guarded in our words, interactions with one another, the government, our society by the help of the Holy Spirit, as We are light and a City upon a hill, thus we can not be hid, and every action we portray carries with it, heavy and warning signals to the world for which Christ sent Us to as light, and died for, thus, wisdom is profitable to direct.”
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