ENUGU, AUGUST 24, 2021 (CISA)-The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze has disclosed that the Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria had produced a handbook to guide Catholic politicians.
In his address of August 21 during the Bishops’ interaction with Catholic politicians of the Province of Onitsha in Enugu at the ongoing CBCN second plenary, Archbishop Akubeze urged the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria to make copies available to all Catholic politicians.
“From the Catholic Social Teaching, we discover ways to resolve many of our conflicts. The document deals with the common good for the entire people; rights of states or nations, rights of individuals to private ownership of property, obligations of a nation towards the poor and equitable sharing of responsibilities and rights,” the Archbishop of Benin City said.
The prelate said that Catholic bishops believe the Catholic politicians can make a difference in the Nigerian political space.
“We strongly believe that if you allow a well-formed conscience guided by Catholic Social Teachings to lead you in decision making, you will put Nigeria on a progressive pathway to development and eradication of corruption,” he said, urging the Church to create more opportunities for robust interaction with Catholic politicians.
While debunking a notion that politics is a dirty profession, the Archbishop said, “We are the ones that make it dirty. Nigerians are looking up to the political class to work for the good of everyone.”
“To you, our respected Catholic politicians, we have not called you here to lecture you, but to let you know that you have great resources on how to form your consciences to be good Catholic politicians. The Social Teaching of the Church provides you with materials on engagement in politics,” said the Archbishop.
The ongoing 2021 2nd Plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria began on August 19.
