The Catholic Church has announced its return to Christian Association of Nigeria, almost 6 years after announcing its withdrawal from the organization following an alleged misunderstanding which was later described as “political”.
Leading a delegation of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria to perfect the return, Rev. Fr. (Prof) Cornelius Omonokhua who represented Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, appeared at the expanded National Executive Committee and quarterly meeting of CAN for the amendment of its constitution, addressed the identified grey areas and fashioned out ways of addressing them. Sequel to that, Kaigama disclosed the readiness of the Catholics to work with the new CAN leadership.
Vanguard reported that CAN President, Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle, who couldn’t hide his joy said;
“Their return was one of the best things that have been happening since I was given the mandate to become the President of the Association. One of my visions for CAN is to bring our Catholic brothers and sisters back to the fold and I must acknowledge the support and understanding of my brother in Christ, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and his team.
“I give kudos to all the Principal Officers, the Directors and some Christian leaders in the country for their support and understanding while the dialogue lasted.
“My joy knows no bond with the presence of the CSN at the Constitutional Amendment Meeting held on Thursday and at the National Executive Committee meeting of the Association on Friday. It is our prayers that the Body of Christ in the country will remain one forever in Jesus’ name.
“At a time like this when Christians are almost becoming endanger species in Nigeria, when churches are being denied the Certificate of Occupancy especially in the core North, when Christians are being denied of key public offices and when the Church is expected to speak for the voiceless especially over the economic and social hardship in our country, we cannot afford of being at war with ourselves”.
“Our Association is unity in diversity. Jesus Christ prayed for the Church shortly before He returned to heaven in John chapter 17 when He said, ‘I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me”’ (John 17:20&21).
