As clerics, we must watch over public governance –Bishop Ajibodu

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, The Right Reverend Abel Oluyemi Ajibodu, has restated the role of clerics in public governance, noting that they had a duty to act as watchdogs.

He stated while delivering the bishop’s charge to the house of clergy and house of laity, at the second session of the second synod, at The Cathedral of St. Peter, Ile-Oluji, on Friday, with the theme, Thy Kingdom Come.

He said: “We have observed in recent times that some of the people in government and public offices are quick to lash out at clerics, who dare to pass comments on issues that affect our common interest as a nation, and sarcastically advise them to consign themselves to the realm of the pulpit.

“This kind of thinking must have emanated from the apparent professionalisation of politics by politicians with their winner-takes-all principle and practice. The church has the responsibility of acting as watch over the realm of governance so that politicians and government officials can be warned whenever they start going off on tangent.”

The cleric, who lamented the proliferation of firearms, also appealed to the Federal Government “not to allow those who feast and live on our ethnic and religious differences to pitch them against the will and calls by Nigerians for holistic restructuring.”

Present at the synod were Bishop James Odedeji of Lagos West Anglican Diocese; Bishop Seyi Oyelade of Ife East Anglican Diocese, who preached at the opening service; retired Bishop of Ijebu Anglican Diocese, The right Reverend (Professor) J.A. Omoyajowo; Venerable (Dr) Julius Sunday Adekoya, who led the Bible study; Professor Adeduro Joseph Adegeye, the guest lecturer, and Venerable Olaoluwa Adeyemi, who will preach at the closing service today.