The Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, (Anglican Communion) Rt. Rev’d Humphrey Olumakaiye has enjoined religious leaders in Nigeria to inculcate the principle of godly living to their members, so as to address the issue of corruption in the country.
Giving this charge recently in Lagos during a courtesy visit to the Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Uche, Olumakaiye said that there is need for Christian leaders to come together as one body to fight corruption in all facets of the nation’s life.
The cleric also noted that not querying wealth acquired by a person without any form of labour is not only wrong on the part of the pastor, but also a way of aiding and abetting corruption
“I believe our focus should be in sanitizing the whole environment by fighting corruption to a standstill”, he said.
He noted that the leaders, as well as citizens need to recommit, as well as rededicate themselves to achieving meaningful progress in the country.
He urged religious leaders to focus more on improving spirituality, as well as the educational and health standard of their members.
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Stating that the visit to the Prelate was to strengthen the relationship between the two churches and intimate him of the centenary anniversary celebration of the diocese come 2019, Olumakaiye added that the Methodist and Anglican Church would continue to be partners in progress.
“We believe that as a diocese; the Anglican and the Methodist through our renowned ministry, synergizing in health and education can take the country to another level”, he said.
The bishop urged the Orthodox Church to stand up and defend the Christian faith from wrong theological teachings.
“Some of this new generation churches preach hyper grace where they claim that once that grace, then you can continue to sin.
“They claim that the grace of today has covered the sin of tomorrow. That is a wrong theology. The country; the Christians are looking up to us to defend the Christian faith”, he said.
The Methodist Prelate, Dr. Samuel Uche also urged Nigerians irrespective of faith to promote religious harmony and peaceful coexistence for the sustenance of development in the country.
“If religious leaders can humble themselves, mingle with the people on the street, traders, people in motor parks, pray for them, they in turn would be encouraged to promote peace in the country.
“Humility is the mark of a Christian, anybody that is proud cannot be a good minister, and you must be very humble and down to earth to serve God and the people”, he said.
He thanked the Bishop and his entourage for their visit and promised Olumakaiye that the Methodist Church will collaborate with the Anglican Communion on evangelism and ecumenism in the country, just as they did his predecessor.
“I know that you will fit into the shoes of the Most Rev’d (Dr.) Adebola Ademowo. I promise that we will continue to work together, and I believe that there are other things we will initiate that will bring us closer.
“I believe when we start, we will draw other churches into it. We will practice pure ecumenism here in Lagos to show other people example of what ecumenism and Christian relationship should be”, he said.
He urged religious leaders to be more concerned with the welfare of their members rather than leaving flambouyant lifestyles at the detriment of the people.
“Giving back to humanity is our concern, putting a smile on the face of the less privilege in the church, as well as the country as a whole is our emphasis. We are not flambouyant, we want to have the mind of Christ.
“If you have the mind of Christ, you will work for unity, we should always drive to add spiritual value to the church at all times”, he said.
