Attack on Catholic Bishops is attack on entire Christian community — PFN

Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has thrown its weight behind the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), declaring that any attack on Catholic bishops over their comments on the state of the nation is an attack on the entire Christian community.

PFN National President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, made the declaration while ministering at the auditorium of his Sword of the Spirit Ministries in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Sunday, where he endorsed the remarks made by Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, during the recent visit of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria to President Bola Tinubu.

During the meeting, the Catholic bishops reportedly told the President that “Nigeria is bleeding,” drawing attention to the worsening insecurity and violence in different parts of the country.

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Backing the bishops, Oke asked: “Are we not bleeding in Benue, Southern Kaduna, Borno, Kwara and Oyo?”

He argued that the reality of insecurity across several parts of the country could not be wished away or dismissed simply because it was raised by Catholic leaders.

According to him, speaking truth to power is a moral responsibility and should not be interpreted as a political act.

Oke also rejected attempts to portray the Catholic Bishops as speaking in isolation, stressing the unity of the Christian faith across denominations.

He maintained that an attack on Catholic bishops over their concerns about the state of the nation should be regarded as an attack on the wider Christian community, insisting that Christians must stand together when issues affecting the lives and wellbeing of citizens are raised.

The PFN president said the Church could not remain silent in the face of killings, insecurity and other forms of violence threatening communities across the country.

He stressed that religious leaders have a responsibility to speak for the people, particularly when those in authority are being called upon to address issues that directly affect the safety and welfare of citizens.

Oke also criticised proposals linked to the imposition of fines for preaching in buses under proposed amendments to road safety regulations.

He insisted that Christians would continue to preach the gospel, urging lawmakers to devote greater attention to issues that directly affect Nigerians rather than measures that could restrict religious expression.

The PFN position comes amid growing debate over the CBCN’s assessment of the nation’s security situation and the Presidency’s response to the bishops’ remarks.

While some commentators have defended the bishops’ right to speak on national issues, others have argued that religious leaders should avoid statements or actions that could be perceived as partisan.

The debate has continued to generate reactions from faith leaders, public figures and political stakeholders, further fuelling conversations over the role of religious institutions in governance and national affairs.