Bishop Akinfenwa Urges Church Leaders to Speak on Bad Governance
The retired Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Anglican Church, Most Rev Joseph Akinfenwa, has urged the four newly consecrated bishops of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, to uphold the dignity of the episcopate and ensure their lives reflect the teachings of the gospel.
Akinfenwa also called on church leaders to speak out against hunger, insecurity, unemployment and other hardships confronting Nigerians. He said the Church must hold political leaders accountable and consistently speak truth to power.
The retired bishop made the remarks on Tuesday during the ongoing 15th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria and the consecration of four new bishops at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne Remo, Ogun State.
According to him, praying for Nigeria should go hand in hand with taking action to promote good governance. He expressed concern that some leaders might not be paying adequate attention to reports about the challenges facing citizens.
Akinfenwa said, “The church must continue to pray for this great nation. Prayer does not mean abandoning our responsibility as citizens. The church must pray, the church must think, and when necessary, the church must speak truth to power.”
He urged Christians to use their voices to draw attention to social and political challenges while defending democratic freedoms, including freedom of speech, association, religion and thought.
The retired bishop said the Church should not be intimidated when confronting wrongdoing, stressing that religious leaders have a prophetic responsibility to commend leaders when they do well and challenge them when they fail.
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He noted that Nigerians had shown remarkable resilience despite worsening economic and social conditions. However, he warned that such resilience should not become a reason to overlook suffering.
Akinfenwa said many Nigerians were battling hunger, unemployment, insecurity and uncertainty about the future. He urged the Church to listen to the concerns of citizens and speak on their behalf.
“When the people cry, the church must not merely say, ‘Let us pray.’ Yes, let us pray, but after we pray, let us ask, ‘Lord, what do You want us to do?’ Prayers must lead to action. Faith must produce works,” he said.
He also advised political leaders to surround themselves with people who would tell them the truth rather than individuals who would conceal unpleasant realities.
Akinfenwa said reports in the national media should help leaders understand the challenges facing the country and make necessary corrections.
“The truth may be uncomfortable, but knowing the truth gives leadership the opportunity to correct what needs to be corrected,” he said, urging Christians to pray that those in authority would be surrounded by “truth-tellers” rather than only loyalists.
Turning to the newly consecrated bishops, Akinfenwa reminded them that their elevation was not a reward or status symbol but a call to greater service and responsibility.
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The new bishops are Ven Godwin Terso Yakela of Makurdi Diocese, Ven Kingsley Ogbonda of Uyo Diocese, Ven Julius Oyediran of Ekiti-Oke Diocese and Ven Oluyemi Fatusi of Awori Diocese, Ogun State.
He congratulated the four bishops and recalled that their journey to the episcopate began with their election at the Episcopal Synod held at the University of Port Harcourt in July.
Akinfenwa encouraged them to see their consecration as being set apart for God and the service of His Church.
He quoted John 9:4, saying, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
The retired bishop urged the Church to appreciate its past achievements while remaining focused on its future mission.
“Thank God for yesterday. We celebrate what God has done, but we must press forward into what God wants to do next. The church must march on with renewed vigour and enthusiasm,” he said.
source: Punch News
Content Credit: Azeez Amosun
Image Credit: Facebook.com
