Chime seeks churches’ assistance in governance

Enugu – Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has urged churches in the country to assist the governments in ensuring good governance.
The governor made the call in Enugu on Monday in a message at the opening of the Third Synod of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.
Chime, who was represented by the Secretary to the state Government, Mr Amaechi Okolo, said the church should provide spiritual and theological explanations and counseling to guide political leaders in the governance of the country.
According to him, leaders of the Church should provide moral leadership and exemplary conduct to be able to speak with authority and conviction.
The governor commended the church for its immense contributions toward the development of the state, adding that it would continue to be major partners of the government.
In his remarks, the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr Eugene Odo, advised Christians to participate actively in politics to improve the norms and values in the society.
Odo said that Christians were the people who should be in power because they were in a better position to make meaningful policies.
“If there is any class of people who should be in politics, it is people who know God because they are the ones who will elect credible leaders.
“When people who do not know God aspire to get power, they make policies that are obnoxious to human existence.
“I personally use this forum to urge the Christian faithful to participate actively in politics by contesting and voting during elections,’’ he said.
In a message, the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev. Augustine Kasujja, congratulated the diocese for holding the synod 12 years after the second one in 2001.
Kasujja urged the delegates to come up with decisions that would continue to enhance the church especially in the area of evangelism.
Earlier, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, said the synod was a gathering where issues concerning the diocese were discussed.
Onaga said the previous synods led to the creation of the dioceses of Awgu and Nsukka as well as many parishes.
The bishop also said the number of priests increased from 70 in 1984 during the first synod to 350 priests as at 2013.
He thanked the faithful for their continued support and cooperation toward the growth of the church.
The theme of the synod is `Renewing the mission and identity of the church in service to integral education and reconciliation’.
The synod which opened with a mass, paper presentations and cultural displays would end on Nov. 23.  
- (NAN)

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