Church in Nigeria facing not only challenges of Coronavirus but of persecution – CAN President
Amidst huge cries for solution by all and sundries locally and globally over the dreaded pandemic ravaging the world, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, said the Christian faith in Nigeria “is being challenged today not only by sicknesses and other life issues but equally by those who persecute the church.”
He however did not mention who the persecutors of the Christian church are in the country but, from his words, it was clear that the CAN President was expressing bitterness that the United of America, from which it had severally reported and sought support leading President Donald Trump to enlisting Nigeria as one of the countries persecuting Christian or tolerating religious persecution, is worst hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.
This was where in his Palm Sunday message he said that the western world, apparently referring to America which “we had depended upon for quick solution, appeared to be brought down to their knees for help wherever it could come from.”
The message read: “At a time like this when coronavirus pandemic is doing havoc worldwide, the hearts of many people are failing them especially in the Western world where it has done more havoc than elsewhere. What has contributed more to the fear is the fact that the Western world, which we had depended upon for quick solution, appeared to be brought down to their knees for help wherever it could come from.
“The medical personnel are overwhelmed while they themselves have fallen victims of the attack of this rude virus. Even medical personnel from Nigeria are being wooed by the American government with immediate visa at their embassy if they wish to come and work. We appear to be a bit luckier in Africa because it has not been able to kill as many people as it did in the West.”
Rev. Ayokunle however appealed to Christians in the face of the challenges “to be strong in the Lord and stand firm against the wiles of the devil. How can we then keep strong spiritually and physically at a time like this?” He asked, adding that, “As an individual, desist from staying in big gatherings. There is time for everything, a time to embrace and a time to cease from embracing. Such a time to cease from embracing is now. If you have feelings of being sick, contact your doctor who will guide you appropriately on the steps to take.”
He said: “Our faith is being challenged today not only by sicknesses and other life issues but equally by those who persecute the church. The church has never faced the type of heat we are facing now in Nigeria before. Non-availability or inadequacies of many basic life amenities, poverty, sicknesses and sudden death of close relatives, and all are challenging our faith. We are enjoined not to be carried away be these troubles but to accelerate our faith.”
It was however gathered that there were other Christian leaders in the country who saw things differently from the view of the CAN President and as such simply faced the real business of guiding their followers towards the way to overcome the pandemic and live in peace with government and other people in the society.
They include the Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop Awka Anglican Diocese, Anambra State, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor.
While Archbishope Ibezim asked Christians to keep on to their faith in God despite the tribulations of the coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Ezeokafor said the best time for the church to assist the poor was now.
The Anglican and Catholic churches said this as they held celebrations of this year’s Palm Sunday online in their respective churches due to restrictions by government as necessitated by the deadly globally spread disease, Coronavirus.
The Anglican archbishop called on Christians to pray ceaselessly during the Holy Week for God to have mercy and save mankind from the ravaging virus.
The service was reportedly aired live on radio and television stations in line with the Anambra State Government’s directive of limited gathering of people during church services.
While lamenting that Nigeria and other parts of the world were bleeding from the pains of coronavirus, the bishop assured that God would intervene for good.
He said, “What you need to do now as Christians is to cry unto God for forgiveness of sins. He will heal our infirmities; He will restore our health; the Lord is compassionate.”
Similarly, the Catholic Bishop, Paulinus Ezeokafor, said directed parishes in the diocese to provide for indigent people in the area to cushion the effects of COVID-19 lockdown.
He said the church should not allow people’s faith in God to wane because of the pandemic.
The bishop announced that the Diocese would unveil stimulus packages for the poor in society, noting that all charity organs of the church should be ready for charity.
