The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has rejected the inclusion of the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Ernest Obodo, in the Enugu State All Progressives Congress (APC) Faith-Based Campaign Group.
PREMIUM TIMES stories that the APC in the state had included Mr Obodo and plenty of different Christian clerics in the occasion’s governorship campaign group.
But in an announcement on Friday, the Secretary of the diocese, Wilfred Agubuchi, described the inclusion of the clerics as unauthorised, deceptive and unacceptable.
Mr Agubuchi, additionally a Catholic priest, stated Mr Obodo was listed because the director of the Faith-Based campaign council with out his information or consent.
The secretary argued that the unauthorised inclusion of the bishop’s identify created a misunderstanding of his political disposition and constituted a critical misrepresentation succesful of undermining his integrity and “ecclesiastical reputation.”
“We reiterate that the Catholic Church doesn’t have interaction in partisan politics, take part in political campaigns or endorse political events.
“The church remains politically neutral and steadfastly committed to her spiritual mission and the promotion of peace, justice and the common good,” he stated.
Mr Agubuchi burdened that whereas people have the precise to interact in partisan politics, the church should not be related to such exercise.
“While individual Christians are free to exercise their civic and democratic rights, no individual or group should exploit the name, office or identity of the church or its ministers for partisan political interests,” he stated.
Demand for withdrawal
Mr Agubuchi stated the diocese has demanded the withdrawal of the bishop’s identify and different clerics from the campaign council.
“We therefore demand the immediate removal of Bishop Ernest Obodo’s name, as well as the names of all other Catholic priests included without their knowledge and consent, from the said campaign list and any related publications,” he said.
“Furthermore, any continued or subsequent unauthorised use of the Bishop’s name, title, image or ecclesiastical office for partisan political purposes will attract appropriate legal action.”
CAN kicks
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Enugu State Chapter has earlier opposed the inclusion of Mr Obodo in the campaign council.
The bishop is the chairman of the Enugu State chapter of CAN.
In an announcement on Thursday, the Secretary of CAN in Enugu State, Innocent Offor, additionally said that the bishop’s identify and people of different members of the affiliation had been added to the campaign council with out approval.
“CAN Enugu didn’t authorise, endorse, or consent to the inclusion of its management in the campaign council.
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“Consequently, the publication must not be construed as an indication of the association’s political affiliation, endorsement of any political party, or participation in partisan political activities,” Mr Offor, additionally a cleric, stated.
The secretary burdened that it was improper for the APC to current Christian leaders as members of a partisan political campaign construction with out their prior information, and consent.
“Any try and affiliate them with a selected political occasion dangers creating pointless division throughout the church and undermining the unity and impartiality anticipated of non secular management.
“CAN Enugu therefore dissociates itself from the said publication and urges the public, particularly members of the Christian community, to disregard any suggestion that the inclusion of these names represents the endorsement or participation of CAN Enugu or the affected Church leaders in the APC campaign council,” he stated.
“We call on the publishers and relevant authorities to acknowledge this clarification and take the necessary steps to correct the impression created by the unauthorised publication.”
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