The Catholic Church has announced its
return to the Christian Association of Nigeria after about five years of
dissociating itself from the body.
The return process was concluded on
Thursday and Friday in Abuja when a delegation of the Catholic
Secretariat of Nigeria, led by Rev. Fr. (Prof.) Cornelius Omonokhua,
attended the expanded National Executive Committee and quarterly meeting
of CAN for the amendment of its constitution.
The CSN delegation participated in the two-day meeting.
The President of CAN, Dr Samson
Ayokunle, according to a statement issued on Sunday by his Special
Assistant, Media & Communications, Adebayo Oladeji, could not hide
his happiness on the new development.
Ayokunle was quoted as saying, “Their
return is one of the best things that have happened since I was given
the mandate to become the President of CAN. One of my visions for CAN is
to bring our Catholic brothers and sisters back to the fold and I must
acknowledge the support and understanding of my brother in Christ, Most
Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of
Nigeria and his team.
“I give kudos to all the principal
officers, the directors and some Christian leaders in the country for
their support and understanding while the dialogue lasted. My joy knows
no bound with the presence of the CSN at the constitutional amendment
meeting of CAN held on Thursday and at the NEC meeting on Friday. It is
our prayers that the body of Christ in the country will remain one
forever in Jesus’ name.
“At a time like this when Christians are
almost becoming endangered species in Nigeria, when churches are being
denied Certificates of Occupancy, especially in the core North, when
Christians are being denied key public offices and when the Church is
expected to speak for the voiceless, especially over the economic and
social hardship in our country, we cannot afford to be at war with
ourselves.”
CAN’s Director of Legal Issues, Kwankur
Samuel, said the organisation was working on the new constitution to
ensure that “CAN has an effective internal mechanism to address any
misunderstanding among its members. We are all happy with the return of
the CSN. Our strength lies in our unity.”
The CAN Chairman (North Central Zone),
Rev Dr Israel Akanji, said the return of the Catholics was a sign of
good omen to the body of Christ in Nigeria.
“We are all happy with this new
development, now the Body of Christ in Nigeria is one, virile and
strong. We can now speak with one voice. With their return, CAN is even
now stronger and greater. We have learnt one lesson or two from the
challenges that led to their withdrawal. Never again will any of the
blocs withdraw its membership,” he stated.
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