To All Christians: “Consider Voting on Saturday as Part of Lenten Observance”
By Bishop Godfrey Igwebuike Onah/ Rev. Fr. Matthew Eze O.)
The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah has on Ash Wednesday, 6th March 2019 told all the Christians across his diocese that they should consider coming out en masse and voting on Saturday 9th March 2019 during the Gubernatorial and the State House of Assembly elections as part of their Lenten observance and another Stations of the Cross. He made this known while delivering his homily at St. Theresa’s Cathedral Nsukka in a Eucharistic celebration marking the beginning of the special Season of Lent.
Addressing his congregation, Bishop Onah told the crowds that apart from the usual Catholic traditional practice of coming out in large numbers every Friday for the Stations of the Cross, that they should also regard Saturday 9th March which is the day of election as another day for a unique form of Stations of the Cross during which all those who are eighteen years of age and above should go to their various polling booths not only to exercise their civic responsibility but significantly also to make a concrete sacrifice for the good of our nation. This sacrifice according to him is still part and parcel of our responsibility during the season of Lent.
He there from explained the three key major duties that characterize the Lenten Season namely; Fasting, Alms giving and Prayer. Concerning prayer, he reminded all on the importance of prayer especially on our nation that is in a state of chaos and encouraged every Christian to make appropriate use of the grace that the Church offers us within this period as a healing balm to rescue our nation especially during the Stations of the Cross. According to him; “There will be two Stations of the Cross this week. The first is on Friday and the second is on Saturday, the day of election. The first day of the Stations of the Cross which is on Friday is for everybody during which we all are expected to come out and pray for our country Nigeria while the second Stations of the Cross on Saturday gives us an opportunity to match our prayer with useful practical steps. This second one is only for adults who have voter’s card”.
He further lamented that it is tear-jerking to learn that many adults refused to register for the election after numerous efforts to get all registered and most tragic to have the voter’s card and remain indifferent and unresponsive.
Father Bishop encouraged every adult to consider voting during this Saturday’s gubernatorial and State House of Assembly’s elections as a sacrifice, offering of love for our nation and our own contribution towards saving our country that has been battered and shattered by corruption at all levels. Commenting on the widespread allegations of electoral malpractice in the first set of elections, the Bishop reminded the congregation that a government cannot claim to be fighting corruption if it condones corruption in the electoral process from which it emerges and indeed that a government which is the result of a corrupt electoral process would lack the moral grounds for fighting corruption.
He further admonished them not to be discouraged with the alleged irregularities that took place during the last presidential election; instead to bear in mind that part of the life of every true Christian is never to give up and to remain hopeful in every situation.
The prelate added that no matter how difficult and painful this may seem, that they should all strive to go out obediently, stand in line patiently and vote as noble citizens and through their exemplary lives, to shine as the light of Christ in our dark society.
Nasarawa Reporters 