Piqued by the proclamations and prophecies of some crop of clergymen in the country, Catholic Bishop of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have cautioned political leaders in Nigeria to be wary of the advice and visions of false prophets.
The Bishops condemned the abuse of the gift of prophecy and expressed concern on what they described as the “recent peculiar recourse to visions and prophecies as a source of information and instrument of governance and administration in some facets of our national life”.
The revered group however pointed out that prophetic gifts, private revelations and visions may have a religious basis but that they should not be seen as substitutes for personal and corporate responsibility, honest work and application of the rule of law and the constitution.
The Bishops further warned that a country that follows prophecies and visions rather than its constitution and the rule of law risks being overrun by false prophecies and visions based on self-interests and greed.
This advice was contained in the communiqué issue by the bishops at the end of their meeting held recently at the Pastoral Institute (P.I.), Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The communiqué which was signed by Archbishop Felix Alaba Job and Bishop Felix Femi Ajakaye, President and Secretary, also harped on the need for the leaders to be steadfast in the efforts toward addressing the developmental challenges and woes bedeviling the nation.
“The menace of pervasive corruption, rather than abating, has been further emboldened by recent insensitive attempts by top government officials to down play the central role of widespread corruption in Nigeria`s many woes and tragedies”, the Bishops added.
Speaking on the state of the Nigerian nation, the bishops noted with nostalgia the persistence of the “seemingly intractable challenge of insecurity and violence through bombings and mindless killings,
kidnappings, armed robbery and ethnic clashes, in spite of the claim of the government on being on top of the situation”
The bishops however acknowledged the improvement in the supply of electricity in some parts of the country and the attempt by some governments to better the lot of the people. “We commend the
authorities and well meaning Nigerians who have made some effort to improve the general situation of living in Nigeria and those who continue to pray and seek ways and means of ameliorating the standards of the various sectors”, they stressed.
The group also called on all Nigerians to turn a new leaf in the new year, face reality and fight corruption with sincerity, adding that they must be conscious of the fact that the country is not yet out of the
woods.
“Together, we must build a society based on justice and equity. It is the only way to justify the hope we have that God will vindicate the righteous and punish evildoers”, the Bishops further admonished.
Speaking on the Year of Faith as declared by the Holy Father, the bishops noted that `It is a renewed call to holiness for all` and urged all the dioceses, institutions, Religious, lay groups and communities to `celebrate the Year of Faith with vigour and commitment` according to guidelines of the Holy See and the dioceses.
They also expressed joy on the vibrancy of the Church in Nigeria in spite of the many challenges facing the country. “We are especially grateful to God that as an impetus for new evangelization in Nigeria, the Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. John Onaiyekan was created a Cardinal of the Church, only the fourth Nigerian to be so honoured.
“His elevation to this exalted position, the creation of more dioceses and nomination of new Bishops for the Church in Nigeria in 2012 were clear signs that, our national troubles notwithstanding, ours remains a vibrant Church and that God`s divine mercy and love have continued to accompany his people and Church in Nigeria.”

Source: The Examiner