“They are an appendage of PDP and PDP themselves” – CAN fires back at Catholic Church [DETAILS]

by Isi Esene

The crisis brewing within the Christian Association of Nigeria does not seem to be abating with the association giving the Catholic Church the go-ahead to pull out of the religious group.

The Catholic Church recently decided to pull out of CAN noting that it no longer stood for what it was initially set up to do.

In a letter signed by the Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, Monsignor Christopher Ajala, on Tuesday, the Catholic Church alleged that CAN had become an arm of government.

“The Catholic Church took their stand before the purchase or the aircraft was donated to him. But what the Catholic Bishops Conference is complaining about is about the way they are running the national CAN now that is not meeting the objectives and the goals of CAN and the forefathers of CAN.

“CAN is now being run as part of the government and we said no.

“Because they (government) will dictate to us what to do and they will not take our advice seriously. The Catholic Church decided to withdraw from the activities of CAN at national level; we are still part of the state. We made our stand clear in November, last year, and by December, the man bought a jet. I don’t know how he got it but the president was there on that day the jet was delivered to him.

“So, what we are saying is that our religious leaders should be honest, upright and they should also be the conscience of this nation.

“If you are bought, the masses of this country are finished. If you can use money to buy our religious leaders, then there is no hope for the common man. That is the Catholic Church’s stand. We are supposed to speak for the people to correct the wrongs in the society and assist every government to know the will of God for them and we still stand by that.”

But in its reaction to the allegations made against it by the Catholic Church, the leadership of CAN attributed the problem to the inability of a Catholic Church candidate to wrest power from the current CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the 19 Northern States of CAN and Abuja, Sunny Oibe, “There are some certain elements in the leadership of CAN led by Cardinal John Onaiyekan because he lost CAN Presidency to Oritsejafor who has a lot of achievements.”

Oibe whio spoke with reporters in Abuja on Wednesday continued saying, “There is no need for anybody to lose sleep over the threat by Catholics to pull out of CAN because without them CAN will still continue. The constitution of CAN makes provision that membership can be terminated by any group that is misbehaving or any group can also terminate their membership.

“Why is it that when Catholics were in the leadership of CAN, every bloc supported them, but now because power has changed hands, they are threatening to pull out and causing confusion?

“They have been agitating that the Presidency of CAN must come from the South. They are an appendage of PDP and PDP themselves. They are known for double standards. A man of God should not be double speaking.”

Oibe reportedly continued saying, “The Catholics are claiming that the current CAN leadership has deviated from the vision of the founding fathers when they don’t even know how CAN came about.

“Catholics have accused the present CAN leadership, led by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor of being pro-government. But if you look at the whole scenario, you will be able to find out who between Oritsejafor and Onaiyekan is closer to government.”

“The problem of Catholics is that they always display arrogance in knowledge. They don’t want to be under anybody but they want everybody to be under them. It doesn’t work like that because there is no seniority in CAN,” Oibe said.

Comments (24)

  1. I can remember vividly in the late80s when pastor orisa came to Abeokuta for revival at iyana mortuary,after collecting all millions finish he said the Egbas are people compairing the money to other states.
    Why are you disputing govt buying him over bcos he love money than Jesus christ.

  2. This is so shameful and unhealthy for the Christian populace . This CAN spokesman acted like a desperately bitter politician of one of Nigeria's breed of pol parties. He didn't need to 'fire' back like there's some kind of on-going cold war. I hope both bodies can settle amicably and privately, and that d Catholic Church acts by not responding to this publicly.

    Sulaimon is obviously a dunce.

  3. catholics worships jesus mother. others worship jesus. they ar all worshipn human being.

    1. Silly talk. What is ð topic, what re u saying?

    2. @Sulaimon,Silly talk. What is ð topic, what re u saying? Senseless somebody.

  4. its no big deal. the word is so clear. my people perish because they lack knowledge. this is a display of ignorance by the man who sided the CAN president and saying the catholic is PDP. the rain of shame is about to fall on those who are twisting the word of God to suit their selfish ambitions. in a country where an average Nigeria lived on less than one dollar a day, then a religious leader is glorying in purchase of Jet. they think catholic leaders can not afford the Jet? even a better one. but we live a prudent life according to the mind of Christ the Savior.

  5. When my church doesn't join CAN it amaze me but now the truth is out and I thank God for giving them the vision.

  6. A kingdom that is divided against itself cannot stand. Christians should not allow enemies to create confusion and disharmony in the christiandom. No one is infalible and so we should try to accommodate short- comings if we must make any progress.

  7. I clearly suggest that the body should have come †̥o table discussions with the catholic leadership and not †̥o have made counter allegations †o Cardinal Onaiyekan cos I don't think it holds water.

  8. I know that Nigeria revolutions wil start fom the church and mosque.there's nothing like CAN again but a ministry under the federal govt. they can no longer present themselves as a real servant of God but servant of govt. I support the pulled out of catholic. Orisajafor had loss focus as a xtain leader and he should know that God is watching him.

  9. "The CAN is correct,when Bishop Oneiyekan now cardinal was there it was just stooge of d government,yet we supported him for d unity of d church and now its d turn of others u say is wrong.Gone wr d days when one church could think it's superior to d rest.Without CAN most pentacostal churches hv planes not even one plane,or you think Papa Oritzsejafor can't afford to buy even one plane?Ridiclous! Envy and short sightedness on d part of our brothers d Catholics.

    One would thnk d northern elites hv inflicted d catholics thru their own mouth piece Bishop.Kukah.I advice d catholics to recend their decision forthwith cos "If u most follow other ppl,they in turn will and if u thnk u can't nobody will also follow u".The unity of d church rest on every good christian NOT only one fragment,may God unite our leaders d devil is a liar."

    1. Lulah, do u think this is about the Catholic Vs Penticostal na u wrong, its about how CAN is runned. Imagine el rufai insulting CAN as a body by calling it an extension of PDP no single response from the christaindom bcos his reasons are obvious. In nigeria history pple are advocating tax on church activity or income, championed by xtains like Barr falana. If you call Kukah a Catholic spokes man, what would sau of Cardinal Anthony Okogie to told the president he is clueless, did u listen to Delta catholic bishop at Azazis burial were he adressed President Janathan to his face, did u listen to Bishop of Jos at Yakowas burial were he fearlessly adress the Governors on endemic corruption. Get ur fact right Lulah. The catholic population in nigeria is estimated at the size of some 15 state put together and I dare to say financial able but show me a Bishop or cardinal in the entire continent with a private jet, there more sch, hosp and poor to feed and built. The one we trust to give wealth had his son on a donkey

      1. If only we can do the will of God for us by having a tru leader in d christian not dos dat ignore d masses in purchase of Jet. special tanks to d FG for d ban of private jet in d country or esle dey will open jet shop in dre houses.

  10. I must say d̶̲̥̅̊

    ατ for the first time,I'm very disappointed in our christain leaders,if they,who are τ̅☺ uphold truth,justice…τ̅☺ show wisdom and discretion over issues are acting like this,then what hope do we have in our leaders?and I am very much dissapointed in Sunny Oibe for his comments.

  11. I smell a crisis of more division, a signal that fragmentation in to several pieces is in da offing. Instead to talking abt reconciliation, dis man is beating da drums of division, sooner or later he wld start blaspheming that God instructed his to ensure catholics leave CAN. My candid advice to CAN president is to put in place reconciliation machinery and adress issues from all parties involved and not to take pick side, ur a president for all and not a denominational leader

    1. i think you should read the words very carefully before criticizing any man here. mind you mouth.

  12. All these fighter dogs of the CAN president na wa oo. The last time Bishop Kukah spoke abt the aquisation of jet, shameless bulldogs rose in defense. Need I remind u that Onaikon was one of those who killed third term by asking OBj to deny it in the pupit at the christain center. That act cost Jerry Gana his job. We need to move away from prosperity driven preachers to reality preachers, the chatolic church is worst hit by boko haram, has Arisejorfor been to Maiduguri or even Jos, its not abt seating in warri or Abuja to make inflamatory statement.

  13. A body divided among itself can never stand. Christians should beware of external influences and personal ambition.

  14. Its unfortunate CAN is defending itself. Olbe I believe is a man of God. They are suppose to call on the Catholic leadership and discuss the issue. And not to come in public and disgrce themselves. For firing back means d Catholic church is right. May God help our leaders.

  15. This is the scandal of division and the shame of Christianity! Sunday Oibe would have been wiser if he never equated John Cardinal Onaiyekan with the Catholic church!

  16. Its a pity that at point of wreckage instead of mending walls, they are shifting blames, this same set of people would stand on d pulpit as "men of god"? Preaching about repentance and forgiveness? At this pace I think I'll throw my support behind Sanusi that all this groups be disbanded. It is pitiable and the leaderships should apologize to all Nigerian Christians for this embarrassing and self seeking outburst.

  17. The people speaking for CAN are irresponsible! Their trying so hard to playdown the issues raised by the Catholics have criminalised them. The Catholic church have stated their reasons for pulling out and we appreciate them so much for having stood in the forefront when it comes to giving Nigerians positive leadership, leading by example, giving hope, championing the cause of the poor against a corrupt, oppressive govt. Pulling out of CAN is the toughest thing the Catholics have done and Christians(pentecostals), which am one of support them all the way. The burden and yoke of our pentecostal leaders have sunk us! Hope beckons in the direction we're seeing some rays of decency. Ayo and his vain colleagues have made a mess of Christian teachings!!!

  18. The people speaking for CAN are irresponsible! Their trying so hard to playdown the issues raised by the Catholics have criminalised them. The Catholic church have stated their reasons for pulling out and we appreciate them so much for having stood in the forefront when it comes to giving Nigerians positive leadership, leading by example, giving hope, championing the cause of the poor against a corrupt, oppressive govt. Pulling out of CAN is the toughest thing the Catholics have done and Christians(pentecostals), which am one of support them all the way. The burden and yoke of our pentecostal leaders have sunk us! Hope beckons in the direction we're seeing some rays of decency. Ayo and his vain colleagues have made a mess of Christian teachings!!!

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