SW News: A Nigerian top prelate has boldly said that the Catholic Church would fearlessly continue to be the voice of the West African nation. Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja made this declaration at the end of the 3rd General Assembly of the Archdiocese on September 25.

In his pastoral message, he said the Church will continue to voice its views against corruption and bad governance in Nigeria. He said both the Church and the state, though different, are serving humanity. The archbishop stressed that this common ground should encourage more cooperation and co-responsibility.

The prelate observed that the Church and politics are not isolated from each other; nonetheless, the two cannot be subsumed into one entity. “It is hoped that the Church can inject correct moral values deep into the political fiber of the nation,” he said.

“In the truest sense, religion should be the gadfly of public consciousness and morality in political life. A Church that will not speak truth to power is a Church that cannot credibly bear witness to Christ in the world. We cannot offer hope if we do not speak the truth.” Archbishop Kaigama added that violent disturbances will not lead to the growth of the country.

The archbishop said the Catholic Church nurtures the hope of a democracy that will usher in a renewed era of social justice, equity, peace, and prosperity.

National insecurity, banditry, terrorism, kidnapping for ransom saga, and economic hardship, resulting in the unbearably high level of unemployment in the country are worrisome.

Archbishop Kaigama stressed that human life often becomes cheapened in the tussle for political power. This is related to bad governance and its negative consequences. Therefore, the Church continues to speak out firmly against political corruption, eroding social values, and poor governance. He said the year 2023 is a litmus test for democracy in Nigeria and urged the Nigerians to be responsible and discerning while exercising their voting power in the general election. He asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to safeguard political fairness and transparency to consolidate the trust reposed in them by Nigerians.