Retired Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Anglican Church, Joseph Akinfenwa has advised the four newly consecrated bishops of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion to maintain the dignity of the episcopate and live lives that mirror the gospel. Africans & Diaspora
Akinfenwa equally denounced the level of hunger, insecurity and other forms of hardship in the country, encouraging church leaders not to shy away from speaking truth to power and holding the nation’s authorities accountable.
The PUNCH adds that the retired bishop stated that he was doubtful whether the country’s leaders read the daily news reports from the media, adding that the country’s position would have been better if they had.
This was said by Akinfenwa yesterday at the current 15th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria and the consecration of four new bishops at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne Remo, Ogun State.
The church leader stated that church leaders must be willing to speak out as well as pray for the country, so that those who are in authority are held accountable and they prioritise good governance over other interests.
The new bishops are Godwin Terso Yakela, Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Kingsley Ogbonda, Bishop of Uyo Diocese, Julius Oyediran, Bishop of Ekiti-Oke Diocese and Oluyemi Fatusi, Bishop of Awori Diocese, Ogun State.
“Dear ones, the church must keep praying for this great nation,” he urged. To pray does not imply to give up our duty as citizens. The church must pray. The church must think. And when it needs to, the church must speak truth to power.
Some months ago our Primate made a statement about what was happening in the state where an election was to be held and I was elated. I was happy to be an Anglican. Our leader has spoken. He fears nothing.
We have to talk! Speak against the problems in your various places and attract the attention of the people to what they ought to be doing. Whatever the outcome our democracy relies on citizens willing to speak.
The church must not be a zombie or scared. God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a clear mind . We must have the capacity to tell those in charge when they are doing well and when they are doing incorrectly. We must be in a position to notify them when things are not as they should be.
This is part of our prophetic role.” “Nigeria is a country of amazing resilience. We endure. We adapt. We live. We move ahead. But resilience can never be an excuse for ignoring misery. Africans and diaspora
“There’s trouble in the land. The earth is starving. There is unemployment in the country. When you talk of insecurity, there is so much insecurity in the country. There is concern about the future. Many families are straining to make ends meet.”
When people say they are suffering, we cannot disregard their testimony. The church must listen to the voice of the people and the church must speak for the people.
“When people cry, the church must not just say, ‘Let us pray.’ Yes, let us pray, but after we pray let us ask, “Lord, what do you want us to do?” Prayers are after to action. Faith must have works.
He asked the new bishops to understand their elevation not as a reward or status symbol, but as a summons to deeper service, duty and stewardship.
Akinfenwa quoted John 9:4 that the church should celebrate her previous achievements and at the same time focus on the future.
“Thank God for yesterday. We celebrated what God has done but we had to move ahead to what God wants to achieve next. “The church must march on with renewed vigour and enthusiasm,” he declared.
Akinfenwa welcomed the newly consecrated bishops, stating that their journey to the episcopate which began with their election at the Episcopal Synod at the University of Port Harcourt in July has come to fruition.
“From this day forth, my dear brothers, you are not only Archdeacons or Clergy. Ye are bishops of the church of God.
“Consecration means something is set aside for God. You are not being sanctified for your own glory. You are not being consecrated to ecclesiastical position. You are not being made holy so that people might say, ‘My Lord.’ “You are being ordained to the service of God and His church,” he stated.
The new bishops were consecrated by the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Henry Ndukuba, who charged them to be true shepherds and to pursue the progress of the church in their new offices. Africans and the Diaspora
Ndukuba later prayed that God would help the clerics to succeed and serve the church and humanity properly.
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