Nigerian Catholic Bishops Urge Caution on State Police, Say Naira Float Has ‘Negative Consequences’

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on the Federal Government to “carefully study” the ongoing discussion about the creation of State Police and assess the impact of all other already existing security outfits regarding insecurity.

The organization also warned against the decision to “float the Naira,” saying it has unintended negative and harsh consequences. 

The government, the CBCN advised, should urgently address the increasing dissaffection and restlessness spreading across the population, in order to avoid a descent into chaos and anarchy. 

The CBCN made the suggestions in a communique issued after its First Plenary Meeting for 2024 which held in Abuja with the theme, “Synod On Synodality: Areas Of Concern For The Church In Nigeria.”

The communique titled, “Journeying Together For The Common Good In The Church And Our Nation”, obtained by journalists on Friday was signed by the President of CBCN and Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Lucius Ugorji and Secretary/Bishop of Uromi Diocese, Donatus Ogun. 

The Catholic Bishops said, “In view of government’s effort to end insecurity, we recommend that the ongoing discussion about the creation of State Police be carefully studied. Furthermore, government ought to assess the impact of all other already existing security outfits in this regard. Given the diminishing purchasing power of the Nigerian currency, and the capacity of agriculture to be the bedrock of our survival, we urge government to create the necessary and conducive environment that would enable our people to return to their farms.

“Similarly, we note that the decision to float the Naira has had unintended negative and harsh consequences. In the light of this, we urge government to urgently address the increasing dissaffection and restiveness spreading across the population, in order to avoid a descent into chaos and anarchy.”

The CBCN also expressed strong solidarity with people who are suffering in the seriously deteriorating situation of the nation, especially in the areas of security and economy. 

The CBCN said, “Insecurity has attained yet a higher scale than we had ever seen before in the land. Insurgents, armed herdsmen, bandits, and the so-called unknown gunmen have continued to unleash terror in different parts of the country. Kidnapping for ransom has reached homes and areas where in the pass it was thought impossible. The result is that many have fled their homes, abandoned their farms, shops, businesses and other sources of livelihood. The number of internally-displaced persons in our country is ever growing. 

“We are making yet another passionate appeal to Government to act immediately to stem the tide. We note the efforts of the Federal Government in addressing some of our key economic problems. While we understand the reasons behind some of the reforms, it is our view that some of these policies seem not to have been properly thought through and as such the outcomes seem to fall short of expectations. 

“For instance, while the fuel subsidy removal was meant to help improve government’s revenue which has been the case across the three levels of government, the impact on Nigerians has been debilitating.”

Media Gag

“The Media play a critical role in nation building. They have the capacity to inform, enlighten and guide the government and citizens on important matters of governance, citizenship and patriotism. They also act as watchdogs for good governance. 

“Rather than seek to repress or intimidate the media, we call on government and other relevant authorities to help the media perform their role responsibly and optimally. To this end, we recommend that the fundamental rights of media workers be respected. We equally advocate for the responsible use of the mainstream and social media by all.”

Same Sex Marriage 

They also reiterated their opposition to the decision of Pope Francis on same sex union, ‘Fiducia Supplicans’, saying it was against the teaching of Jesus Christ.

The CBCN said, “The Declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Fiducia Supplicans (on the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings) has generated a lot of controversies. Many Episcopal Conferences have taken their position on this document. We re-affirm the age long teaching of the Church on the Sacrament of Marriage as a union between one man and one-woman Code of Canon Law, Canon 1055); Catechism of the Catholic Church, N. 2335). 

“We reject the reading of the Declaration that suggests that priests could bless same-sex couples or other couples in irregular situations such as those of polygamists, and the divorce and remarried, in a way that legitimizes such unions.

“We, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria affirm our loyalty to the teaching of Christ and the Holy Father the Pope. As we have already stated as Conference and as part of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), we reiterate that Priests are not to bless samesex couples in Nigeria. Homosexual acts are acts of grave depravity which are intrinsically disordered and, above all, contrary to natural law.”

Friday Olokor, Abuja

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