Criminals are God’s children too, Archbishop Irefin urges love, compassion

The Brotherhood of Cross and Star under the spiritual leadership of Olumba Olumba Obu, has urged the government at all levels to reconsider a law of rehabilitating and counselling criminals, rather than condemning them to death.

The Organisation who spoke through Archbishop David Irefin at a media conference held in Lokoja on Wednesday, said the condemning and stigmatisation of Criminals by the government and the society can only worsen criminality than correcting it.

He argued that the continuous crisis facing the entire world was because of the absence of Love and compassion among the children of God.

“We are all Children of God, all of us are children of God; a thief is a child of God even though he is a wanted person. When we talk about prodigal children, we mean thieves, robbers, prostitutes, drunkards, murderers and all those who engage in sins and vices; they are all children of God, but they are wanted children.”

“Do not ever refer to another person as Satan. There is no Satan but the spirit of Error. When we steal, we say it is Satan, this is not true, the problem is that we have no love. The Bible refers to the lost sheep of Israel, and who do you think they are? They are those who drink, smoke, the idolators, liars, fornicators, thieves and many more, yet are they not all children of God?

“He has not said we should love only our kind, that is, only people of our race or denomination or tribe; He has not said we should love only those who love us.

“He says we should not discriminate; we should not hate; that we should love all human beings and all creations and regard every person as ourselves.

Archbishop Irefin who is equally and Academic Professor at the Federal University Lokoja, posited that the world would become a peaceful place to live in when Love takes over.

“The cause of the troubles and problems in the world is the simple fact that there is no love. Do what you may in the world, if you do not have love, you cannot achieve anything and there will never be any peace among you. If you have love, you will not kill, steal and disgrace, abuse or cause any person.”

“The Holy Spirit says all those holding political offices at all levels are put there by the Father God as his representatives. His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu has said that rulers must be compassionate and rule the people in love. That their decision and actions must not negatively affect the poor, the destitute, and the needy, and the displaced people.”

“This is because He says this Year, He will hear the cry of the poor and needy. That this is a reminder to all rulers who will stand before God and give account for their actions. They should remember one day they will give account to God on how they manage the position or offices he gives them,” he added.

READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE