Fr. Ngwoke
Dr Emeka Ngwoke, head of the public enlightenment desk of the Justice Development and Peace/Caritas Commission (JDPC), Nsukka Diocese, Enugu State, Friday, cautioned Catholic priests against partisanship.
Ngwoke, a reverend father, stated this while responding to questions by our correspondent on the position of the church in a media report that the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai, threatened some priests for allegedly campaigning against PDP during the Feb 25th 2023 National Assembly and presidential elections in the state.
The PUNCH of March 5, 2023 quoted an unnamed Catholic priest to have said that some thugs ‘invaded several Catholic church parishes in Nsukka and threatened reverend fathers and their parishioners over their choice to vote against the candidates of PDP’.
The sourced added, “He (Barr Ossai) hasn’t been elected and has started threatening fire and brimstone on how he will deal ruthlessly with priests and those who didn’t support PDP. When he became deputy governor, then he will be a terror to people of Enugu State. It is good that they are showing their colour before the election.”
Fr Ngwo advised priests not to delve into politics to avoid bringing the church into ridicule. In his words, “It is unconscionable for priests to campaign for one political party or the other. This law was not made by politicians, but the church. This has affected the credibility of the church badly. It undermines the primary responsibility of the church for the spread of the gospel. At the second Vatican Council, the church came out clearly that political powers should stay apart from ecclesiastical power.
“There is even a provision in the Canon Law on this. They say in certain circumstances, an exception is made. But it is not for individual priests to make that exception; it is only a diocesan bishop that can determine that such an extra-ordinary circumstance exists. He is also to give direction on how that exception might be made.
“The ministry of the church in each diocese is entrusted in its entirety to the diocesan bishop. The priests are co-workers of the bishop. The priest couldn’t, in a clear conscience, be doing something in the name of the church when he knows his bishop will object. There was a violation of this in the absence of my bishop, and the victim called, claiming that he was being harassed, but he was actually the one in violation of what should be the boundary. I told him ‘look, understand that we have limits’.
“There are people who because of their positions must be politically neutral, otherwise society cannot function very well. When people do not take this important and critical decision, they cause confusion that could lead to breakdown of law and order.”
Meanwhile, Barr Ossai has exonerated himself from the alleged threat to priests. According to him, “The allegation is unfounded. I wouldn’t imagine doing such, being a Catholic myself. And even if I am not, I am a human being with a conscience. The allegations are politically motivated. We are committed to delivering good governance if given the mandate. Hold me accountable. Our campaign in this election is issue-based. We don’t discuss people. I clarified this matter for the sake of posterity.”
Research by our correspondent shows that Barr Ossai is constructing a Catholic Church and a parish house for his Urukpa-Ezimo community. A parishioner, Matthew Eze, said, “He began the project last year. The work has been ongoing. He has been assisting our people aside this project, but Ifeanyi is not the talking type. He is an asset to the entire Ezimo community.”
Moses Alumana, a media consultant, further cautioned journalists against biased reportage. According to him, “PUNCH is a reputable media outfit. Even if the priest did not want his name mentioned, it behooves on the reporter to get the reaction of Ossai. It is against our ethics.”
