The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged churches nationwide to remain morally vigilant on issues concerning justice, human dignity, democracy, constitutionalism, peace, religious freedom and other national challenges.
CAN president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stated this during the grand finale, thanksgiving and award ceremony marking the association’s 50th anniversary golden jubilee celebration on Saturday in Abuja.
The theme of the golden jubilee was “Walking Together in Faith.”
Mr Okoh, in his remarks titled “CAN at 50: A Prophetic Voice of Hope,” urged Christians to sustain the Church’s prophetic voice through compassion, advocacy and practical service to humanity.
Mr Okoh compared the Church’s responsibility to that of the biblical watchman in Ezekiel 33, who remains vigilant, discerns impending danger and warns the people accordingly.
The CAN leader emphasised that while the Church must remain courageous and vocal, its public voice must be accurate, balanced, evidence-based and free from partisan interests.
“The Church in Nigeria, therefore, must remain morally alert to developments affecting justice, human dignity, democratic institutions, constitutionalism, peace, freedom of religion and belief, accountability and the wellbeing of vulnerable citizens.
“The church has a special responsibility to speak for those whose voices are often ignored – Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), children denied education, unemployed young persons.
“The rural farmers who cannot access their farmlands due to insecurity, women facing violence, communities affected by environmental degradation, victims of human trafficking and people unable to access legal representation.
“The gospel makes it impossible to remain indifferent to the living conditions of the vulnerable. Faith must find practical expression in compassion, service and advocacy. The church must speak,” he said.
Mr Okoh noted that over the past 50 years, CAN members had managed to put aside their differences and raise a prophetic voice on issues of religious freedom, justice, good governance, corruption, insecurity, humanitarian services and national development.
He added that both past and present leaders of CAN had equally engaged politicians and government officials at various times on issues of the common good.
According to him, the next 50 years should be strongly marked by a prophetic voice that is more informed, more courageous, increasingly evidence-based and constructive.
On church-state relations, Mr Okoh advocated a model of critical collaboration rather than hostility or submissiveness.
“The appropriate model is critical collaboration where the common good requires it, challenge where justice demands, commendation for good governance, and warnings where government fails, while preserving the Church’s independence,” Mr Okoh said.
Speaking on the history of CAN, Mr Okoh paid tribute to the founding fathers who established the platform in August 1976 to give the Christian community in Nigeria a single, unified voice.
He described the theme of the golden jubilee as a collective testimony to the voluntary association of God’s people and their deliberate resolve to walk and work together.
According to him, this year’s theme also encourages the Christian community to march into the future with greater resolve to build the Church in unity.
He recalled that, despite the initial challenges, suspicion and marginalisation among various traditions, faith overcame fear over time, making Nigeria the only country in Africa where diverse Christian traditions are united under one ecumenical platform.
“We are here to give Him thanks, to share our testimonies, to celebrate Christian unity and common witness in Nigeria and to remember those who laboured in gathering believers to one single platform in fellowship.
“One of our most remarkable testimonies is that Nigeria has the unique distinction as the only country in Africa where diverse Christian traditions are united under a single ecumenical platform,” Mr Okoh said.
According to him, the five major blocs comprising CAN include the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria/Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN/PFN), Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), and the ECWA/TEKAN Fellowship.
Mr Okoh charged the younger generation and future leaders to protect the unity and avoid divisive tendencies that had disrupted the Church in the past.
He also urged political leaders to govern well, respect the constitution, account for public resources, protect citizens and strengthen national institutions.
“The golden jubilee should be remembered not simply as a celebration of the past but as the beginning of a renewed national mission.
“The message of the Church to those in governance must be clear: govern well, serve faithfully, protect the people, respect the constitution, account for public resources, listen to citizens, protect the vulnerable, strengthen institutions and make Nigeria great.
“The message to the church must be equally clear: pray for Nigeria, pray for those in government, speak for Nigeria, serve Nigeria, build Nigeria and heal Nigeria.
“We must give leadership by demonstrating integrity, compassion, diligence and by defending human dignity,” he said.
Expressing confidence that “Nigeria Nigeria will be better,” Mr Okoh said hope required responsibility, adding that “prayer must be accompanied by positive action, faith by integrity, leadership by accountability, and freedom by responsibility.”
The golden jubilee event featured the presentation of awards to notable individuals who have contributed significantly to the Church and the nation.
(NAN)
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