The Director of Communication, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Rev Fr. Moses Iorapuu has cautioned the lay faithfuls to desist from dragging priests into political contests saying it’s wrong for any priest to go into active politics for any reason.
Fr. Iorapuu stated this during a seminar organized by the Makurdi Diocesan Laity Council, where he presented a paper titled, “Effective implementation of the Catholic Vote for good governance in the forthcoming 2023 elections: An idea that the time is here.”
Recall that controversies have continued to trail the entrance of a Catholic priest, Rev.Fr. Hyacinth Alia, into partisan politics. Alia had bought form to contest the governorship of Benue state under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
He was, however, suspended from the exercise of sacred ministry by the Catholic Diocese of Gboko in a letter signed by the Bishop who stated that his action was against the doctrines of the mother church who does not allow her clerics to get involved in partisan politics insisting that the “canonical suspension lasts until he ceases from contumacy.”
Reiterating the fact, Fr Iorappu, the Vicar General Pastoral, Makurdi Diocese, who described the clergy as those especially ordained for divine service said “it is not right for us to neglect the preaching of God’s words in order to serve tables.”
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He stated that according to the canon law, “to lay members of Christ’s faithful belongs the right to have acknowledged as theirs that freedom in secular affairs which is common to all citizens.
While pointing out that those who are not in the clerical status have the obligation to participate in politics and must do so with the spirit of the gospel, Iorapuu queried, “why do the lay faithful who are in their millions think themselves unworthy and cannot be trusted with the affair of their own state, but instead prefer a clergyman?”
He told the laity council that the catholic vote is about the lay faithful and how from among them, a leader could emerge who is guided by Catholic Social Teaching and inspired by the scriptures.
The director of communication who quoted Acts 6:2, said in like manners, “So then, brothers choose seven men among you who are known to be full of the Holy spirit and wisdom, and we will put them in charge of this matter.
He noted that the goal of the Catholic vote campaign is to empower them with necessary education to overcome fear, apathy and prejudice to participate actively in the decision making processes that will shape and form their lives and the society following the principles of human dignity, rights and responsibilities, option for the poor and vulnerable, roles of government, dignity of work and rights of workers, promotion of peace among others.
