PFN Backs Catholic Bishops, Says Attack on Them Is Attack on Church
PFN President Bishop Wale Oke has backed the Catholic bishops' criticism of the Nigerian government, saying an attack on the bishops is an attack on the entire Christian Church.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria has thrown its support behind the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, with its National President, Bishop Wale Oke, saying any attack on Catholic bishops amounts to an attack on the entire Christian Church.
Oke endorsed the bishops' recent criticism of the situation in Nigeria, particularly their warning to President Bola Tinubu that the country is “bleeding” amid insecurity and hardship. He argued that speaking truth to power should not be regarded as a political act but as a moral responsibility.
The PFN president said Christians across denominations should stand together, stressing that although there are different denominations, Christians share one faith.
Oke also criticised what he described as the government's response to violence in parts of the country, citing killings and insecurity in Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Kwara, Oyo and other states.
On the controversy surrounding a proposed ₦50,000 fine for preaching in buses, Oke rejected the measure and said it should be removed. He also called on the National Assembly to address Nigeria's membership of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and review the 1999 Constitution.
However, Pastor Seyi Osuntayo of The Apostolic Church Nigeria cautioned that the timing of the Catholic bishops' intervention could be perceived as partisan, urging Christian leaders to focus on governance and prayer rather than political confrontation.
Journalist and author Ben Charles-Davies, on the other hand, criticised the government's response to the bishops, arguing that their comments reflected the concerns of Nigerians facing insecurity, poverty and economic hardship.
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