The Christian Association of Nigeria on Sunday announced the return of the Catholic Church into its fold.
The Catholic Church was away for about five years over a disagreement with the leadership of the Christian body at the time.
Describing its exit as temporary, the Catholic Church in its letter to Ayo Oritsejafor who was at the helm of affairs at CAN then, said the decision was because of “some recent attitudes, utterances and actions of the national leadership of CAN which in our opinion negate the concept of the foundation of the association and the desire of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Announcing the return of the Catholic Church in a statement by his media aide, Adebayo Oladeji, CAN President Samson Ayokunle, said:
“Their return is one of the best things that have been happening since I was given the mandate to become the president of CAN.
“One of my visions for CAN is to bring our Catholic brothers and sisters back to the fold; and I must acknowledge the support and understanding of my brother in Christ, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and his team.
“I give kudos to all the principal officers, the directors and some Christian leaders in the country for their support and understanding while the dialogue lasted.”
The CAN president prayed that the body would remain one forever.
“At a time like this when Christians are almost becoming endangered species in Nigeria, when churches are being denied the certificate of occupancy especially in the core north, when Christians are being denied key public offices and when the church is expected to speak for the voiceless, especially over the economic and social hardship in our country, we cannot afford to be at war with one another.
“CAN is united in diversity. Jesus Christ prayed for the Church shortly before He returned to heaven in John chapter 17,” he added.
