Cardinal John Onaiyekan has said the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) will not engage in a public exchange with the Presidency following criticism of its recent communiqué on the state of the nation.
Responding to the Presidency’s remarks, the Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja said the Church had discharged its moral duty by speaking on issues affecting Nigerians and had no intention of entering into a war of words with government officials. He explained that the bishops’ message was not intended as an attack on the government but as a call for urgent action to address the country’s numerous challenges.
Onaiyekan noted that the Catholic Church would continue to pray for the nation and provide constructive guidance whenever necessary, stressing that its interventions are driven by the public interest rather than political considerations.
He also urged the Federal Government to prioritise tackling insecurity, economic hardship and other pressing national concerns instead of responding defensively to criticism.
The cleric reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to promoting peace, justice and good governance, maintaining that its mission is to speak the truth in love while working for the common good of all Nigerians.
