FALLOUT FROM WIKE’S OUTBURST DURING ABUJA THANKSGIVING : ANGLICAN CHURCH SETS NEW GUIDELINES FOR ITS PARISHES TO RECEIVE GUESTS

Fallout Of Wike’s Thanksgiving Saga;
Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion Sets New Guideline for It’s Churches to Receive Guests in any Service or Programme

By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo

As a fallout of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s out-burst at a Thanksgiving in a church in Abuja where he said Peter Obi cannot be President of Nigeria,
The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has set guidelines for the reception of politicians and government officials in church services/programmes across all its Churches.

In a memo signed by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Most Rev’d Dr. Henry Ndukuba during the episcopal consultation holding at Nike Diocese in Enugu, the Church stated that in the light of the recent developments that have raised concerns about the use of the church services as political platform with the attendant potential compromise of its integrity, it hereby provide guidelines for receiving politicians and government officials in any of its church services and other church programmes.

The guideline stated clearly that there a need to continue to maintain a welcoming and respectful environment while upholding the church’s neutrality and commitment to its mandate and core values.

The memo emphasized key points to all its arms and officials that:

The church is open to receiving everybody, including politicians and government officials, in its church services and other programmes.
In the light of the mandate of the Church and its inclusivity, the church cannot afford to be partisan in any of its programmes.

The church must, therefore, guard against speeches and whatever else that may cause division and partisanship in the body of Christ.
The guideline states henceforth that;

There is need for a pre-discussion with any guest who is expected to address the church so as to guide him/her accordingly.

It must be clearly communicated to the guest that the church should not be turned into a political platform for disseminating partisan issues.

The presiding officers of the church must avoid making statements or conducting themselves in any manner that may be seen to be serving political or any sectional interest.

No church official is expected to eulogize church guests in any manner that will bring the church to disrepute.

As much as possible, guests should not be encouraged to use our lectern while addressing the church, considering the fact that the lectern has been consecrated for reading the word of God.

The Church noted that being part of the body-politic, it should not shy away from discussing with the government issues that are of interest to the faithful and society at large.

The Church of Nigeria added that under God, it will continue to live as the light of the world and the salt of the earth according to Matthew 5: 13-14 in addition to upholding the government and society at large in prayer and giving godly guidance to all in authority.