The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria says it will not engage in any form of party politics, including choosing or fielding a candidate in the 2023 Presidential election.
Speaking at a media briefing to flag-off activities for this year’s World Communication Week, the Director Church and Society, Reverend Father Uche Obiechina, said politics is about governance and well-being of the people, which is why the Church in Nigeria and Catholic Church all over the world support politics and encourage members to play politics.
He said though Catholic Church as an institution cannot play party politics because its members belong to different political parties, the Church expects her members to play active roles in party politics, adding that the Church is mobilising Christians and non-Christians to rise to the reality of politics in order to bring about good governance for the common good of the country, which he said is in dire need of good leadership.
Earlier, the National Director of Social Communications of the Catholic Secretariat, Reverend Father Michael Umoh, advised Nigerians to desist from treading along tribal, ethnic, religious or political affiliations, noting that the Church is looking up to the next dispensation with hope.
He said this is the time for Nigerians to rise in unison to act and lend their voices to all that is good and noble; in order to save the country from the mistakes of the past, which he said plunged the nation into the present hardship.
Father Umoh said the theme of this year’s World Communication Day, ‘‘Listen to the ear of the heart’’ implies freely giving our time to listen to people, which he said is the first act of charity.
The Secretary General, Reverend Father Zacharia Samjumi, had in his opening remark, commended journalists for using their platforms to end all forms of persecution, as well as bring to the fore the plights of the masses and make their voices heard.
For the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, FCT Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, journalists have had it rough in the past six years and it may be tougher as the 2023 general election approaches, but expressed joy that with the Church already interrogating the sufferings of the people, there is hope for the common man.s
Highlights of the event include unveiling of gifts ahead of the World Communication Week.
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