Here you go again. You are telling me what APC should or should not do.
PLEASE, WHAT THE HELL IS MY BUSINESS WITH APC??
tesseract: I think you miss the point I'm trying to make. Let me break it down; You see what is good for the goose, is also good for the gander. Religious organizations and their leaders, including Islamic, white garment, Catholic, Pentecostal and even idol worshippers have come in one way or the other to endorse bat.
APC understands the power of religion and has used it to the fullest including hiring fake clerics for endorsements. Infact, bat is currently in Makkah to try to pander to the Islamic North, but they're not falling for it.
They shouldn't cry wolf now because things aren't looking too good for them. If they don't like this, they absolutely know what to do.
Oh, I forgot this. This is another post from 2020.
ucheeee: •’Mixing religion with politics is dangerous’
By Sam Eyoboka & Olayinka Latona
Retired Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, explains why the clergy should not mix religion with politics. He speaks against the backdrop of the statement by the Enugu-based Catholic priest and founder of Adoration Ground, Father Ejike Mbaka, that members of his congregation should reject President Goodluck Jonathan in the general elections.
How do you see the statement credited to Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka? Any serious priest will not speak the way he spoke. I am not saying that he is not serious. I will not agree with the things he said. According to what I read in the newspapers, a few weeks earlier, the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, visited his Adoration Ground in Enugu and he prayed for her. At that occasion, he was said to have lambasted the opposition party, APC, and now to turn around overnight and start lambasting President Goodluck Jonathan shows that there is something wrong somewhere.
Personally, I felt bad because it is not the place of a priest to go to that extent. He can have his personal opinion, but to go to the extent that he went is abnormal. I want you to know that he wasn’t speaking for the church. He said he was moved by the spirit, and I wonder what kind of spirit was that.
He said he was under the inspiration of the spirit. If he was under the inspiration of the spirit, I wonder if the spirit is that of God. I don’t think the spirit he’s referring to is the spirit of God. He must have been under the influence of another spirit. He must have been listening to a wrong spirit.
Is the statement not embarrassing to the Catholic Church as a whole? Indeed, it is. But I must say to you that he was not speaking on behalf of the church. No! No!! No!!! Anybody with such opinion is in error. The man cannot hold brief for the church. Pardon me, but how can I say you are bloody fool and anybody takes that to mean that all journalists are bloody fools. It’s very funny.
In a situation such as this, what does the Catholic Church do? Well, the Catholic Church is structured in such a way that there are dioceses where each priest belongs. This particular priest happens to come from Enugu Diocese, so it is left for the bishop in charge of that diocese to discipline him. If the priest fails to obey the discipline, then the bishop is obligated to report the mother to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN.
You may have heard the Bishop of Abuja Diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who said that if the priest were to be in his diocese, he would discipline him straight. But he is not in his diocese. The best anyone of us can do is just to advise him that he had gone too far and he is free to take our advice and he may not. God gave every one of us a free will and we are at liberty to use the freewill as we choose.
What kind of sanction can be given to such a priest? It depends on his bishop. You cannot dictate for his bishop. Don’t forget that this same man was at loggerheads with a former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamanni, and it was the same Adoration Ground in Enugu. If I have my way, we should close that place because a lot of things have been happening there that are out of tune. I think Gov. Peter Obi also went there for prayers at one point. If I have my way, I won’t go there for anything….
Your advice for politicians who are currently jostling for votes…. One of them came out publicly recently to say that if you are a politician and you cannot tell a lie…how then that anyone wants to go into politics? If they can openly say such a thing, it means they have been deceiving the people all this while. So, I don’t really know. Any good politician must, first and foremost, must have the fear of God in him. A responsible politician, irrespective of the office you are vying for—because they say whatever has a beginning must have an end—must begin by developing the fear of God in him because by and by your tenure will eventually come to an end.
It’s because of greed that most of them are clamouring for second or more terms. Any politician that has finished his first term and is asking for a second term, there is something wrong with him. If we look at it critically, after four years what is he clamouring for a second term for? I cannot understand Nigerians. Some of us are damn greedy. They don’t have the fear and respect for the down trodden.
Now they are up and about the whole place…they can even lick your boot now because they are canvassing for votes, but as soon as they get the votes they begin to show you pepper. They don’t regard the poor citizens that are out there; forgetting that someday and one day they may return to the status quo.
Whatever has a beginning must have an end. This is the time you get them talking but they won’t look at their manifestoes, but because they want to get to power they are going to everybody. Some of them have come to me here and I told them off: one of the first thing you’ve got to do is get religion off your mind because it is like putting petrol in a fire. You don’t mix politics with religion and some people came to me, saying, ‘Look at the situation in Lagos, what are we going to do?’ What are you going to do? Are they your God? Do they own the nation? The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Any clergyman that mixes religion with politics is finished including their church because they will not be spared.
Politicians are taking their campaigns to churches. Is it a healthy development? It is not! They should keep religion out of politics. Don’t forget each person has his or her own mind. During harvest, you have the priest and the assistant priest and you go out to invite another priest to preach, that will affect what I am going give, because I have already made up my mind on what I am going to give. They come to church to canvas for votes.
It should not be allowed by anybody. I don’t really know what to do because this election, hmm hmm hmm, I am afraid. Imagine their utterances! Look at what Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) said about Shariah in 2011, that is what they are harping on now in 2015. Why? When did you hear about Shariah last? This kind of thing is annoying. Look at the recent campaign launch that produced over N21 billion. Where did they get the money from when people are hungry? No water. No electricity. No roads. I just wonder what kind of government we have in this country. These are all corrupt persons and they will want me to cast their vote for them.
TRUTHaDDICTED: But we never saw you with this amount of energy and devotion of advocacy and criticism when we saw different imams preaching support for Tinubu in the Mosques, or is it because their congratulations always rejected and rebuked them? Define H
What is my business with Imams preaching in mosques??
Anyway.
My post on my diary.
In 2020 Atikulate-Obidients were hailing me while Buharists were condemning me because of that thread.
I have posted the exact same thing that I posted in 2020 and I predict that Obidients will try to attack me.
tesseract: My own is, why is naptu2 wailing seriously? What's his stake in this? How does it affect him? Father mbaka supported buhari against Jonathan, fake bishops and priests were hired by APC to endorse bat some years ago, it all seemed right by you then didn't it? Please save us the crocodile tears.
My post on my diary.
In 2020 Atikulate-Obidients were hailing me while Buharists were condemning me because of that thread.
I have posted the exact same thing that I posted in 2020 and I predict that Obidients will try to attack me.
Here’s why senior catholic figures are cautioning Father Mbaka (By Naptu2)
(Please, don’t just react to the title of the thread or to what you think the thread is about or to what you’ve heard before. Try and take some time to actually read the posts and understand what’s written in them. Thank you).
Father Camillus Ejike Mbaka has caused controversy in the past 20 years by hobnobbing with politicians and predicting the winners of governorship and presidential elections. This led to serious controversy in 2018 when he had a verbal altercation with Mr Peter Obi, the vice presidential candidate of the PDP.
Many senior figures in the Catholic Church have often cautioned and criticised Father Mbaka because of his political activities. Here are some examples:
Some people have claimed that these bishops only criticised Father Mbaka because they support a different candidate from the candidate that Father Mbaka endorsed. Is this really the reason? Of course it’s not. So what’s the reason for their criticisms?
Basically, their criticisms are based on Canon Law. Canon Law is the code that guides the behaviour of priests and other ministers in the Catholic Church all over the world. Canon Law states that:
Can. 283 (3). Clerics are forbidden to assume public offices which entail a participation in the exercise of civil power.
Can. 287. (2). They are not to have an active part in political parties and in governing labour unions unless, in the judgment of competent ecclesiastical authority, the protection of the rights of the Church or the promotion of the common good requires it.
These sections have always been interpreted to mean that priests must not tell voters who to vote for. They must not get involved in partisan politics that supports one candidate against another, except with the permission of their bishop.
This does not mean that priests cannot be involved in politics at all. Priests can criticise governments, condemn corruption, advocate that government should help the poor, etc. They can also vote in elections, but they must not tell their congregation to vote for politician Y or to vote against politician X. This is because it is believed that the Catholic Church exists to serve all people, no matter the party you belong to or what race you are and so the church must not be seen to be promoting one group over the other or dividing the congregation. Basically, the Catholic Church is politically neutral.
This is the reason for the criticism of Father Mbaka, because he seems to be supporting one candidate over another and this is against Canon Law.
Due to this, the Catholic Bishops Conference barred all priests from supporting politicians ahead of the 2019 elections (see second post below).
After the altercation between Father Mbaka and Peter Obi, the Church issued another warning to priests and banned them from allowing any politician to use any pulpit, altar or church property to make political statements. (see third post below).
This is a very serious issue around the world. The Catholic Church in America also issued directives to priests ahead of the 2016 election over there (so other posts below) and some Catholics in the US also complained (ahead of the 2012 election) that some priests and bishops were using their pulpits to campaign against Barrack Obama.
This is not the first time that the Catholic Church in Nigeria is facing this kind of challenge, neither is it the most serious case.
President Ibrahim Babangida appointed two Catholic priests to the Constituent Assembly in 1989 (this is not against church law). However, one of those priests, Reverend Father Moses Adasu, decided to get involved in partisan politics. He asked his bishop for permission to contest the Benue State governorship election on the platform of the SDP. The bishop (in obedience to Canon Law) refused to grant permission to Adasu. Father Adasu contested anyway and he was excommunicated by the church.
Father Adasu went on to become the civilian governor of Benue State from January 1992-November 1993, when General Sani Abacha removed all civilian governors from office.
Years later, Father Adasu was reinstated as a Catholic priest (the Church is meant to be a forgiving church).
However, here we must try to differentiate politics in general from party politics. In some countries mostly in Latin America such as Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico and others, priests are constitutionally barred from becoming presidents. Many priests in the United States contested for political posts in the past, something the Church frowned at due to the separation of Church and State. In the 1917 Code, it was stated that no clergy should contest for political office without the permission of his competent ordinary or superior. Finally, in the 1983 Code, the clergy were definitively barred from party politics (cf. Can 285 §3). This was an aftermath of John Paul II´s public condemnation of priests holding political offices in 1980.
Hence, the case of Fr. Moses Adasu contesting a gubernatorial post means not being in good stand with the Church. He was later reinstated. This was not the only case. In 2008 when Bishop Fernando Lugo became the president of Paraguay, he was laicised from the clerical state.
He sought the approval of the church to venture into partisan politics. However, the church withheld its approval, quoting section 287, paragraph 2 of the Canon Law, which states that the clergy are not to play an active role in partisan politics or in directing trade unions unless, in the judgment of the competent ecclesiastical authority, this is required for the defence of the rights of the church or to promote the common good.
However, Fr. Adasu insisted and ventured into partisan politics on the platform of the SDP, where he contested in the Benue State gubernatorial elections in 1991and defeated Mr. Ignatius Ayua of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He served as Governor, Benue State from 1992 to 1993.The military interrupted with the administration and Fr. Adasu returned back to the pulpit as catholic priest where he served at Adikpo and Ikyogen.
Considering clergy 1 in general, political activity is not their responsibility, but that of the laity.2 Consistent with this, Canon Law not only commands clergy to acknowledge and promote the mission of the laity in the world,3 but forbids clergy to assume public office.4 Granted: clerics may, with the permission of their superiors, play an active role in political parties or trade unions in order to defend the rights of the Church or to promote the common good.5 However, this kind of activity is clearly exceptional, justified only when the laity is unable to act effectively without direct clerical assistance. Such circumstances have existed and continue to exist from time to time in different places, but they do not now exist in Canada.
Bishops 6 do not exceed their authority or competence simply by commenting upon political issues. Faith and morals are a bishop?s proper and primary concern. But marriage, divorce, pornography, abortion and euthanasia are all moral issues which are the subject of intense political debate; so is the just distribution of earthly goods. The Church has not only the right but the duty “to pass moral judgements even in matters relating to politics whenever the fundamental rights of man or the salvation of souls requires it.”7
Neither of these concepts can be narrowly defined. Among the fundamental rights which popes and bishops have defended, for example, one finds private property, life, health, religious freedom, the right to form unions, the right to a just wage and decent hours of work, and the right to be free of excessive taxation.8
The goal is to help shape public policy that is in conformity with the law rooted in our nature that governs us all no matter what our religious belief. Thus, politicians are called to try an ensure that the laws that govern us protect human life, respect the human person, preserve the unique nature of marriage, support family, ensure the safety of children, guarantee religious freedom and make it possible for all citizens to share in the conditions that are necessary for humane living.9
This is an article by an American priest that explains the situation quite well (this article was written ahead of the 2016 US elections).
Priests have to tell people how to vote, not whom to vote for
Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Aug 11, 2016 CRUX CONTRIBUTOR
They say you should not discuss religion, sex or politics in polite company, so when a priest discusses sex or politics, two of the three explosive topics are on the table, and the third’s there implicitly.
It seems there are two places the faithful do not want their priest: the bedroom and the voting booth. Unfortunately, we cannot turn off our faith once we leave church. A priest’s duty is to advise his flock on every aspect of life-and that includes both sex and politics.
When it comes to politics, there are some clear guidelines. As a private citizen, a priest is entitled to speak his mind about candidates and say whom he might vote for, but he should be clear that he is merely voicing his own opinion.
In a priest’s official capacity, he should speak out against injustice, corruption, violence, greed and lust, and he should speak out against clear violations of human rights on particular issues.
Is is not only a priest’s right, but also his duty to speak out against Nazism, Communism, abusive Capitalism, Jihadism and every other ungodly ideology. Priests should also speak out against particular issues like war, capital punishment, abortion, slavery, unjust wages, and crimes against marriage.
If need be, a priest can speak out against a particular candidate when that candidate takes an open stance on these issues. He must be careful, however, not to speak against the person in particular, but against the candidate’s or their party’s positions.
Priests are called to be courageous witnesses in the public square, and church history is full of priests who have stood up to the powers of this world. Whether it’s Poland’s St. Stanislaus and Jerzy Popieluszko, England’s Thomas Becket, El Salvador’s Oscar Romero, Germany’s Bishop von Galen, they have spoken against the crimes of corrupt leaders and paid the price.
To put it simply, Catholic priests have a duty to tell people how to vote, but not whom to vote for. This sounds like a tightrope, but it is not a difficult one to walk. The rule is that a priest advises his people on issues and principles that inform their conscience as Catholics, and then encourages them to vote responsibly.
As Americans go to the polls in November, most are conscious of the two presidential candidates. Given their records, personal character and party platforms, it is difficult for faithful Catholics to be completely enthusiastic about either.
However, voters should remember that they are not only electing a president. A total of 469 seats in the U.S. Congress (34 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election. Also twelve states will elect governors, not to mention elections to state legislatures elections for mayor to major cities and a multitude of local elections.
The presidential candidates get the most attention, but great good can be accomplished through the election of reliable and virtuous congressmen/women and local and state officials.
To help American citizens, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published Forming Consciouses for Faithful Citizenship a two part summary which can be used as handouts in parishes and are available on the USCCB website. Pastors and people should make use of these resources in order to choose wisely.
Catholic Bishops ban priests from engaging in partisan politics 12/07/2018
The bishops gave the order following the public altercation that ensued between Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka and Peter Obi.
The Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), ahead of 2019 general elections, has banned its members from participating in partisan politics including joining any political party. CBCN gave the order on Thursday, December 6, 2018 in Abuja following the public altercation that ensued between Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka and the former governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, who is also the vice presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the secretary general, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu, the bishops condemned the incident that occurred at the Adoration ground, Enugu, adding that without reservation that it does not have the support of the CBCN.
He said, "As has always been our stand, the Catholic church in Nigeria, as clearly stated in their August 7, 2018 directives, remains apolitical and does not support or subscribe to any political party. Our concern is for a peaceful election process seen to be free, fair, credible and just, and a democratic governance that guarantees peace, justice, equity, among others.
"On behalf of the conference, we wish to reiterate their obligation as teachers of faith and morals, to educate the faithful on their role in the political life of the country, mindful of the present charged political atmosphere of Nigeria.
"With the ongoing campaigns of political parties gathering momentum, we deemed it necessary to again remind all priests and religious to keep to the position of the church on the issue of nonpartisan politics."
He hinted that the Enugu Diocese where Rev Mbaka is incardinated is taking the necessary measures on the incident.
Madu added that, by obeying the Canon Law of Catholic, no Catholic priest is allowed to participate in partisan politics.
Mbaka, during a service on Sunday, December 2, 2018, declared that the PDP's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakawill fail in 2019.
The priest made the declaration following the refusal of the PDP Vice-Presidential candidate, Peter Obi to publicly announce a donation to his ministry.
CBCN Ban Political Endorsements Published: 07 August 2018
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 issued a communique to ban all Catholic Clergy, Major Superiors of Institutes of Consecrated Life, and Lay faithful from publicly endorsing any candidate for political office. In an explicit press release, the CBCN stressed the Catholic Church’s apolitical nature especially with the tensed Nigeria’s political atmosphere.
The Nigeria political scene has seen a trend of key political figures switch alliance across varying political parties and urged their supporters to do same. Having observed all these happenings, the CBCN consequently declared that “no Catholic clergy or religious should publicly endorse any candidate for political office. Liturgical ceremonies must never be used as an opportunity for political campaigns. Similarly, ecclesiastical properties should not be used as places for support for any political candidate or party. All priests and religious should avoid giving the impression that the Church favors one candidate over another or one political party over another”.
Within the same proclamation, co-signed by Most Rev. Augustine AKUBEZE (President, CBCN) & Most Rev. Camillus UMOH (Secretary, CBCN), the Catholic Bishops’ Conference also claimed Nigeria is currently in distress and witnessing a difficult time in its history. Consequently, they went on to urge people of faith to work hard and pray for the future of the country. They also called on Catholics to recite the Prayer for Nigeria in Distress at all masses and other liturgical celebrations.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, is the organ of unity, communion and solidarity for the millions of Catholics spread across the thirty-six states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. It is the forum wherein the collegiality of the Nigeria Catholic bishops, as successors of the Apostles in union with the Pope, is expressed and where the idea of the Church as family is signified.
De Peters is the Obidient content creator who raised an alarm about the vandalisation of the Niger Bridge. He also made videos about the rehabilitation of the bridge.
Since the reopening of the bridge he has been campaigning for Peter Obi at markets in Onitsha.
He attended Mass today and made a video of the priest rehearsing a Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso campaign song at Mass.
Video📹; Beautiful Sight As Priest Rehearses NDC Peter Obi Song With His Members In Church Today❤️
Igbophobia: So since Pete Obi left them, no more crisis?
Or the person or people sponsoring the crises now see no reason to bankroll it?
Labour Party is factionalised with two chairmen. There is the INEC recognised faction that is chaired by Esther Nenadi Usman and there is the Abure faction.
Originalsly: I quoted a part of your comment that had absolutely nothing to do with your topic .. so why would you expect my comment to be relevant to the topic ?
Thank you for afmitting that your post had nothing to do with the topic. That's all I need.
Terrorists have often occupied the islands on the Lake Chad from where they attack targets on the mainland.
Furthermore, there was a thriving fishing industry on the lake, but the terrorists developed a habit of taxing the fisherfolk in exchange for not attacking them.
There has been a Nigerian Navy base on the lake for a long time.
Years ago Boko Haram attacked the base, captured Nigerian Navy ratings and beheaded them. They posted the video of the beheading on the internet.
The Nigerian Army showed up a few days later and chased the terrorists away.
The base has been guarded by Nigerian Navy commandos for a while.
The base is a big problem for the terrorists because they want to tax the fisherfolk and control the lake.
Originalsly: Square pegs in round holes everywhere! We are champions of democracy in Africa... but yet the military is involved in civilian matters ... fighting crime and arresting civilians! The President is a aquare oeg .. even the blind can see he didn't fit in this his first term ... but many are shouting for him to have another term ... hoping he fits!
Country of confusion! ... nothing is normal!
A whole lot of gibberish that has absolutely nothing to do with the topic and nothing to do with my post.
I am fighting the temptation to repost all my old posts about why the navy and air force fight on land, why the army and navy fight in the air and why the army fights on water.
But here is my old post about the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS). The video shows an SBS commando guarding a Boko Haram prisoner in Borno.
Haha. I underestimated myself. I found it at first try. It's from 2013. I even found the Nairaland thread.
Al-Jazeera interviewed some arrested Boko Haram fighters, but that's not why I'm posting the video. I'm posting it because I want you to take note of the masked Nigerian Navy SBS commando in the background.
Politics › Re: Catholic Priest Rehearses Peter Obi Campaign Song At Mass (Video) by naptu2(op): 2:52pm On Nov 01
