by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has held its Second Plenary Meeting in Akwa Ibom State, during which it commended the Federal Government for ‘some progress made’ so far, saying, “We are glad that the nation, Nigeria, is gradually witnessing some positive changes at various levels.
The conference buttressed thus: “This progress is in the areas of road rehabilitation and construction in some parts of the nation, the new minimum wage, and increased allocation of funds to the states, among others,” and appreciated the recent Federal Government’s tax reform efforts aimed especially at curbing multiple taxations and giving relief to low-income earners.
A communiqué to this effect was issued to our correspondent at the end of the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) held at the Diocesan Retreat and Youth Development Centre, Nto Ekpu Ikot, Nko, Obot Akara Local Government Area, Ikot Ekpene Diocese, Akwa Ibom State, recently, and signed by Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Donatus A. Ogun, OSA, Archbishop of Owerri, Bishop of Uromi, President and Secretary of CBCN.
“We commend the government for its efforts towards ensuring food security. We also recognise the efforts of some security agents, who often work and sometimes sacrifice their lives in fighting to protect the lives and property of fellow citizens.
“While observing that, there are many Persistent Challenges, in spite of the progress, our nation still faces persistent challenges in many areas. Insecurity continues unabated, with many citizens kidnapped, dehumanised, killed or forced to flee their homes – forsaking their means of livelihood.
The communiqué averred that, “We are profoundly worried that our people have continued to suffer under extreme poverty and economic hardship, and appear abandoned to a life of destitution and penury. We are also troubled about the increased rate of youth unemployment, which leads many to get involved in criminal activities and many others to migrate in search of greener pastures abroad, resulting in the loss of many of our best brains.”
It also observed that, “The fundamental cause of our problems as a nation is corruption and bad governance. Corruption, understood as moral rottenness, has spread unhindered like a deadly cancer to all areas of our national life, aggressively destroying the fabric of the nation.
“In the face of many live threats, politicians are more preoccupied with securing and retaining power, and less concerned with good governance for the common good of the electorate. Abandoning their duties, they seem more concerned with the pursuit of their personal political agenda and perfecting strategies to grasp power in 2027.
“In fact, there seems to be suppression of opposition, as Nigeria appears to be tilting to a one-party state, the development of which is not a good omen for democracy.
“We observe that many politicians are merely strategizing, aligning and realigning, defecting from one party to another; and posturing for future political offices with little or no intention to contribute to the common good and make better the lives of the citizens.
The conference also observed that, “Our nation may collapse, if the current situation lingers. There is need for a radical change to where the common good drives our political, economic, social and cultural life. The Government, the Church, the education sector, the media and, indeed, all citizens have their roles to play.”
On the Electoral Reform, the Catholic Bishops noted that, “There have been persistent electoral flaws in our nation, such as electoral violence, voter suppression, technical failures, multiple thumb-printing of ballot papers, manipulation of voters’ register, and declaration of fake electoral results.”
According to the communiqué, “This state of affairs results in increasing voter apathy that is experienced in our country today. In order to radically reduce electoral malpractice in Nigeria, we call for a more robust and comprehensive electoral reform that should not only ensure an electronic transmission of results from the polling units, but also their electronic collation in real time.
“Moreover, to fully restore the confidence of voters in the electoral process, electoral reform must ensure transparent and unbiased appointment of the Principal Officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who are to be non-partisan and persons of unquestionable integrity.
“Unfortunately, the activities of many of those so far appointed fall below expectation. This calls for the amendment of the relevant laws to strengthen the independence and credibility of INEC and protect it from interference. We call on the judiciary to live aboveboard in electoral matters. This is necessary for the maintenance of social stability in our nation,” they stressed.
The communiqué also condemned the scourge of prostitution, which dehumanizes the human person and undermines the family, and urged parents and guardians to embrace their God-given responsibility as the First Educators in faith and morals (cf. Vatican II Declaration on Christian Education, Gravissimum Educationis, 3), nurturing their children with discipline, love, and Christian values, adding that, “A healthy society derives from healthy families, and sound families require responsible and God-fearing parents.
“Besides, there is a proliferation of fertility clinics in Nigeria today as a result of high rate of demands by a good number of couples seeking to have children through assisted reproductive technology such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
“This practice has a lot of implications on the dignity of human embryos, which are often wasted in the process. The operators of IVF seem to ignore the moral implications of their choices.
“We, therefore, reaffirm the teaching of the Church – which regards IVF as ‘gravely immoral’ because it separates the unitive and procreative aspects of the marital act, a separation which the Church condemns as sinful.
“While we are deeply concerned about the pain, struggles, and emotional challenges faced by childless couples, we uphold the Church’s moral position on the appropriate means of procreation. We, therefore, encourage adoption of children and use of natural family planning methods and morally-based medically-assistance,” the noted.
They also observe with grave concern, the resurgence among the young people, of idolatry, occult practices, and superstitions under the guise of “returning to African Traditional Religion,” noting that, “These delusive spiritualities exploit the human thirst for meaning but ultimately enslave, rather than liberate.”