Debunks political party donation to CBCN’s plenary meeting
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has said the Catholic Bishops are fathers to all including no-Catholics. In a press statement co-signed by Rev. Fr. Zacharia Samjumi, Secretary General and Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh, Director, Social Communications, CSN disclosed in strong terms that neither any political party nor organization has made any donation towards the CBCN’s plenary meeting scheduled to hold from February 11 to 17, 2023, stressing that CBCN does not tolerate such financial inducements. They added that the Catholic Bishops have the best interests of all at heart and are open to listening to all parties. The statement read in part: “Because of the special position they occupy and the public trust reposed in them, it is not unexpected that many individuals and organizations often seek their attention, prayer and advice. “Naturally, being an election season, many individuals, organizations and political parties have requested audience with the Bishops as they gather during their annual plenary assembly. “As Fathers to all, the Bishops are open to listening to all parties. Should they choose who to come to them or dialogue with them, then, they will cease to be good shepherds and Fathers to all. “No political party or organization has made any donation to the forthcoming CBCN plenary meeting, nor would the Bishops welcome such donations.”
While noting that Bishops shepherd a Catholic population that accounts for a huge percentage of the Nigerian population, CSN stated, “The Catholic Bishops have incontrovertibly remained a clear and respectable voice, and a reliable moral compass, not just for Catholics, but to all men and women of goodwill who desire the good and progress of Nigeria.” The national Catholic Secretariat noted that the Bishops play critical roles in ensuring peaceful and credible elections especially as regards securing fairness and level playing ground as well as active participation. The statement further read in part, “Having spoken so often against the numerous ills in the nation and devastating consequence of failed leadership on the life of the citizenry, the Bishops’ primary duty and concern in the forthcoming elections remain to give guidance and pray that there is a level playing field.”
