S.O.S ALIEME

The Catholic Bishops of Nigeria have once again rekindled the hope of the Church.  This view of mine is not out of sentiment (although it will be interpreted as such) but out of a burning desire to put in perspective what the Catholic Church stands for. The visit of the Catholic Bishops to Aso Rock to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was not necessarily political, as understood and misinterpreted.

The joy of this visit lay in the collegial dimension it took on. It really brought out the beauty and position of the Catholic Church as known in the era of the Church Fathers through the ages. Your voice represented the old long saying, ‘Roma locuta est, causa finita est’ (Rome has spoken and the case is finished). A saying that comes from an early fifth-century sermon by Saint Augustine of Hippo, who stated, “The two councils sent their decrees to the Apostolic See, and the decrees quickly came back. The case is finished.”

The visit was indeed timely and necessary. It reflects the unity and oneness of the Catholic Church. This was quite different from the usual ‘one-man squad,’ which sometimes confuses the true nature and identity of the Catholic Church. The visit definitely puts an end to the difference between when one speaks from the Church and for the Church. The spiritual voice of the Bishops have changed the narrative in the nation’s political landscape, and these changes have given the Church a ray of hope in the current economic realities that confront the poor. The visit has also brought to the limelight, the Catholic Social Teachings (CSTs). It has become very obvious that the CSTs are not theoretical; they are alive and impactful.

More so, in this regard, the Bishops have also reiterated and unravelled the concept of the Church as the Family of God, which was famously highlighted and formally adopted as the guiding pastoral image for the Church in Africa during the “Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops” in 1994 and subsequently promulgated by Pope John Paul II in his post-synodal apostolic exhortation, “Ecclesia in Africa” (1995).

The Catholic Church is known to be non-partisan. This nonpartisan dimension of the Church is indifferent to the realities that characterize the membership of political parties that reside in the Catholic community. The Catholic Church represents the true Body of Christ but does not belong to any political party. Hence, it underscores the fact that it is this nature of the Catholic Church that gives it the prerogative to speak the truth to power. If the Catholic Bishops could speak the truth to military government in the years past, is it the civilian government they won’t be able to face? So, in this present dispensation, the Bishops indeed spoke the truth to power. It reminds us of the draconian days of Sanni Abacha when the likes of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (then Fr. Kukah) and Fr. George Ehusani spoke the truth to power as they constantly used the Catholic Secretariat to engage the military government.

The Bishops have done what they ought to do, and the world has seen the significant effort in calling a spade a spade. The strong message defied any form of diplomacy and corporate negotiation. It was firm and without fear of intimidation. The gleaming red buttons and the red colours on the Bishops’ cassock reflect the acceptance of the consequences of their position which they were ready to take. They are ready to die for the sake of the truth and for Christ because Christ spoke the truth while preaching to the people. 

Some Nigerians have backed the visit, describing them as the conscience of the nation who speaks the truth without fear or favour. Come to think of it, the Bishops’ advice is neither for nor against any government, but is meant to guide every sitting leader to see things the way they are and make better decisions. The President admitted that Nigerians are facing difficulties, saying there is no doubt about the challenges in the country but he would have loved if there is any other way to follow.

If we go down the memory lane, when Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, the former Catholic Archbishop of Lagos became the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in 1986. He was the foremost Christian leader in Nigeria from 1986 to 1994. That was during the time of the ex-military Head of state General Ibrahim Babangida. That was the military era. During his time as CAN President, Cardinal Okogie was one of the Nigeria's most outspoken Christian leaders, frequently speaking on issues of democracy, human rights, and religious freedom. Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie was vocal and outspoken no matter whose ox was gored.  He was fiery and unafraid of those in power.  Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie spoke the truth without trying to please the government. And interestingly, he was not arrested, abused or insulted by the government and its supporters at the time. Nobody accused him of speaking for the Catholics. The military did not accuse him of working for the opposition and arranged him for cyber bullying. Again, the government of that time did not accuse him of abusing any privileges.

But the difference is clear when Cardinal Onayaikan was on Arise TV and shared his experience after his meeting with President Tinubu. One of the things he said was that Nigeria and the economy is currently bleeding. He said the President disagreed with his assertions because he, President Tinubu believes his government is doing well.  He went to explain that President Tinubu is desperate to return to power at all cost regardless of how the people feels. Since then after the interview, it has been barrages of insults, attacks and abuses from the government and President Tinubu's supporters. Some accused Cardinal Onayaikan of being a member of the Obidient movement. Other people accused him of speaking for the Catholics because Peter Obi is a Catholic. Mr Bayo Onanuga accused him of abusing the clerical privileges. There has been so much anger and insults on Cardinal Onayaikan. These have been the trademark. Sing praises for the president or be bullied. How did Nigeria get to this level? Funny enough, President Tinubu was in opposition all through his life until 2015. How has he become so intolerant of the truth? The question now even to his supporters: Is Nigeria better under President Tinubu? Is Nigeria bleeding now? You are free to air your opinion.

God Bless Nigeria!!!