A priest must never be partisan

The Catholic Archbishop of La-
gos, Most Rev Alfred Adewale
Martins has faulted a statement
credited to Rev Fr Mbaka of
the Adoration Ministry saying Senator
Hope Uzodinma would soon take over
the leadership of Imo State.
According to him, in an interview he
recently granted the BBC, such statement
from Fr Ejike Mbaka was unbecoming of
a Catholic priest who is expected to be
non partisan in his approach to political
issues.
Here him: “It came as a surprise to
me that Fr Mbaka would go so far as to
name one person as governor against
another. It is embarrassing when you
hear of priests, of people in positions
of authority making statements that
are clearly partisan, as far as politics is
concerned. The position of the Catho-
lic Church on matters that have to do
with politics is not to be partisan in
statements that are made. Of course we
as Church cannot be oblivious to the
political events in the country or the
world at large. We cannot be oblivious.”
He explained that rather being parti-
san, a priest is expected to speak from
the point of view of principles that
should guide elections and the politi-
cal actors; principles that should guide
relationships between government and
people.
“The priest who is speaking, who be-
lieves he has the gift of prophesy, has to
test whatsoever revelation he receives
in the light of the scriptures, in the light
of the teachings of the church and in
terms of the authority that has been
given to leaders in the church.”
He implored religious leaders to de-
sist from dampening into partisan
politics. Rather, he wants them to play
fatherly and advisory roles that would
assist the electorate and politicians to
always act in ways that would benefit
the large society.