Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has expressed regret over the inequalities between the public office holders in Nigeria and the masses.
The Bishop, who spoke on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at the Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu in a thanksgiving mass to mark the wedding of old Anambra State Governor, Senator Jim Nwobodo and his wife in the Catholic Church, attributed the inequality to corruption among public office holders.
He added that this had resulted in persistent crisis and youth restiveness in the nation.
Bishop Kukah called on Igbos as a people with a common language and culture to be united and ensure security and peace in the area to actualize socio-economic development, regretting that Nigeria was today a country that is more divided.
He observed that life did not depend only on power and money, enjoining Christians irrespective of their denominations to close ranks and strive towards evangelism which is the common goal.
Kukah, who gave a homily during the holy mass, which also coincided with the service to mark the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance /Appeal Fund Week warned the catholic faithful not to be over excited by feeling that they had gained where the Anglicans lost, adding that there is no gain and loss in the matter.
He appealed to all Christians to close ranks and endeavour to achieve success in evangelism which is the most important Christian goal.
Bishop Kukah Commended the Anglican Church for nurturing Chief Jim Nwobodo from birth till the time he joined Catholic church.
He added that Senator Nwobodo’s entry into the Catholic church is a homecoming, recalling that all Christian churches pulled out from Catholic church, because of the protest from the then Rev. Fr. Martin Luther.
He warned that people should not judge others but allow judgement for God.
The bishop expressed happiness that since the enthronement of Pope Francis and the emergence of his “down to earth simplicity and freshness,” the Catholic church had continued to grow.
In a remark, Senator Nwobodo noted that his entry into the Catholic church as a home coming which God has destined.
According to him, since he embraced Catholic church, things have started turning around positively for him and his family.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, who was the sponsor of the wedding with his wife Monica, took the first reading in the church service attended by top government officials, friends and relations of the celebrant, including Bishop emeritus of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Most. Rev. Dr. Anthony Gbuji, and the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga.
