The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh and the Bishop Emeritus, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan have charged
All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) on promoting peace and unity in Africa.
Speaking at the 12 General Assembly of AACC, Archbishop Okoh appreciated the church leaders for the opportunity to participate in the 12th General Assembly and to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of AACC.
He urged the church to extensively discuss ways to promote peace, unity and justice in Nigeria and Africa. “Please use this opportunity to pray for political leaders in Nigeria, starting with the President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and the leadership of two other arms of government.”
In his remarks, Onaiyekan, appreciated the AACC for choosing to celebrate the 60th anniversary in Nigeria, and assured the delegates of maximum support from CAN and Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
Church leaders from African Countries and beyond have converged at the National Ecumenical Center, Abuja, for the 12th General Assembly and 60th Anniversary of AACC.
AACC is a continental ecumenical body that account for over 200 million Christians across African continent and a member of the worldwide ecumenical network. It’s the largest association of protestants, Anglicans, Orthodox, and indigenous churches in Africa with 210 members comprising of Churches, National Council of Churches (NCCs).
The theme of the General Assembly is “The Love of Christ Compels Us”. It is expected to provide opportunities for extensive discussions on ways to promote peace, unity, inclusivity, and justice across the continent, and most importantly, issues that concern the Body of Christ in the continent.
in his welcome address, AACC President, Rt. Reverend Arnold Temple, recalled how the idea of AACC was conceived in Ibadan, Nigeria, in January 1958, and how it has grown spreading across other African countries with good number of churches as members.
He expressed delight that the AACC has contributed significantly to the growth and development of Africa, politically, economically, spiritually and otherwise, all geared towards the betterment of the continent and the world in general.
“In addition to that, we have effectively lent our united voices to the socio-political issues in the continent; yet we are confronted with many more political and economic challenges, notably, high inflation rate and worsening economic situation with associated food insecurity situation that have put our continent at a risk of socio-political instability.
“We seem to be reverting to the days of coup d’etat in Africa. We now seem to engage the reverse gear. We have to take decisive moves to strengthen democracy and sustainable growth, economically and otherwise. We are faced with the desire of political leaders to hold on to power perpetually by all means; undermining democratic principles; lack of transparency and reduction of space for citizens to express their feelings without threats; eroding trust in public institutions that are supposed to be independent but are very much politicized; etc.
“It’s sad to hear of political parties that would rather not go to court of their national jurisdiction after feeling cheated at elections because they believe that the outcome of such a procedure at their detriment is predictable. They believe that our courts are politically compromised. Whether that is merely perceived or real, it points to the need to look again at the independence of our judicial system and seek the necessary renewals”, he said.
Also, the President, Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Most Reverend David Onuoha, congratulated the AACC for the role it has played in the past 60 years in shaping the society and contributing to the development and growth of the Body of Christ, as well as socioeconomic and political development in Africa and beyond.
He charged the church leaders, women and youths inclusive, to chart a definite course towards self-sustenance in funding to be able to stand firm and be more vigorous in pursuing programmes that would sustain and deepen the Christian faith in Africa.
He noted that Christian faith in Africa is facing existential threats from people who think that they can, by aggression and militancy, silence the cause of Christianity in Africa. “We know that they will fail, but do not desire to resist them carnally. We trust that the deliberation of this 12th General Assembly of AACC will find a way of strengthening our hands in this necessary faith defense.
“Thirdly, we recognize our own internal weakness as people of faith. For reason that we should not enumerate, we have allowed misguided revivalism and misleading theologies invade us from within. Our theological education and pastoral response has become very weak in assisting us in this regard.
“We salute the AACC for highlighting this concern and trust that it will assist in curbing the menace through well thought out programmes that will redirect the entire continent and not only to the centrality of the Scripture and the power if the Name of Jesus Christ, but also to the wholeness of the Gospel in both Spirit-led and respectful evangelism and deep-hearted social actions.”
Posthumous award was given to late Akanu Ibiam for the role he played towards the formation and nurturing of the AACC.
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