Archbishop Ibezim decries politicisation of Church, says ‘our pulpit, now political pulpit’

The Archbishop of Niger Province, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Dr Alexander Ibezim, has decried the politicisation of church, instead of concentration in winning souls for Christ.

Addressing the Council of Laity of the Province at All Saints Cathedral,Onitsha Anambra State, Most Rev. Ibezim who is also the Bishop of Awka Diocese said due to internal conflicts their pulpits have been turned into political pulpit.

He said: “We have been querelling over flimsy things.Our pulpits are now political pulpits. Where are the souls? We must address our internal conflicts”.

He told the members of the provincial laity from the nine dioceses that make up the province that they are the deacons in the mode of Stephen, Philip and others who should take care of the members of the church, while they the priests focus on the preaching the gospel.

The Archbishop told the mammoth members of laity at the gathering which theme was :” Our Total Restoration” that without them there would be no church , warning that nobody should take the gathering for granted.

“Under my leadership the church must move forward.We must work together. We have many things to do. If we continue the way we are going, there will be no Church”, said the Archbishop.

He expressed pleasure that the dream of coming together as a united and strong entity is materializing during his time, saying : “We are mobilising people of character. You can see traditional rulers, Judges and prominent persons here. This is the beginning of our solidarity movement”.

The Archbishop outlined four key areas the church must go stick to, which he said include spirituality, returning back to their roots by being involved in reading the Bible and devotion to prayer.
Others he said are: economic empowerment of members, creating awareness for educational opportunities and unity among the members.

In his speech the laity provincial president and the President of Diocese on the Niger Laity , Sir Chris Ukachukwu, said the meeting would bring renewed commitment, holistic rebirth and present new and reinvigorated pedestal for greater achievements.

Decrying the complacency that dogged the laity in the last two decades, Sir Ukachukwu declared that the house of laity in the province :”must be in order, move forward, be the backbone of the church”.

To achieve that he said the laity would start organising seminars, conferences, sports among other things that would strengthen their nond of unity.

Lamenting the absence of unity, the President called for synergy between clergy and laity.

The high point of the event was the Award of Honour bestowed on prominent laity of the province. They are Dame Beatrice Ekwueme, the wife of the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Igwe Sir Prof Charles Maduegbunam of Akwaeze, Igwe Sir Obiora Anachunam of Nkwelle Exunaka, Igwe Sir Ralph Ekpe, Enugwu-Ukwu, Igwe Dr.Benneth Izuchukwu Emeka, Umuleri and Engr.Gibson Okeke, former Worldwide President, Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Old Boys.