2023: Catholic Priest Bars Worshipers From Holy Communion Over Non-Collection of PVCs
- Worshippers of a Roman Catholic parish in Anambra state yet to collect their PVCs have been barred from collecting holy communion
- Rev. Fr. Okonkwo who heads the church says it is a sin for citizens not to perform their civic duties
- He stated that God will not come down from heaven to elect a good leader for them if they fail to allow God to use them as a vessel
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Anambra, Awka - A priest of the Roman Catholic faith has stopped many worshipers in his parish from taking part in one of the most important sacraments/doctrines of the church, over their adamancy in collecting their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) ahead of the Saturday, February 25, presidential election in Nigeria.
Legit.ng's regional reporter in Anambra, Mokwugwo Solomon, reported that the priest, identified simply as Rev. Fr. Okonkwo, in one of the Catholic dioceses in Anambra state, told his parishioners during an early morning service (Holy Mass), on Tuesday, January 17, that it is sinful for a citizen to neglect his civic obligation as stipulated by the law.
Source: Original
The priest, according to reports, asked those who had not collected their own PVCs to come up to the alter. When they did, the priest told them that henceforth, they should stop receiving the Holy Communion until such a time when they must have collected their voter cards.
The cleric further announced that any of them that go secretly to receive Holy Communion in his parish or go somewhere else to do so without collecting his PVC has committed a mortal sin.
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He wondered why Christians, at a time when Nigeria is in dire need of good leadership, should not get themselves ready to elect good-fearing leaders.
Catholic Priest cites analogies from the holy book
Citing Mathew 22:21; the priest said that even Jesus Christ himself was mindful of the governing authorities, and his civic duties, and urged the congregation and Christians in general to imitate the life of Christ.
To further buttress his point on the need for citizens, and Christians in particular, to do the right thing, Fr. Okonkwo also cited Ezra 7:26; Roman 13:11; Titus 3:1, and 1 Peter 2:13.
He said:
"Nigeria is at the crossroads presently, and the world is looking unto Nigerians, and Christians in particular, to chose the best of leaders in 2023 to take the country out of its problems.
"Christians should be at the forefront. We should not be seen to be spectators. We must all go out to collect our voters cards, and exercise our civic obligations. Not just doing so; we should use the power of our PVCs to enthrone credible leadership."
Heaven helps those that help themselves. God will not come down from heaven to elect our leaders. No amount of prayers for good leadership will work for us, unless we select good leaders ourselves.
"The need to respect governing authorities is emphasized severally in the scripture. The need for Christians to perform their civic obligations is also emphasized severally in the scripture. Jesus led the way by paying His tax to Caesar. Therefore, Christians must follow Jesus' example. Anyone that neglects his civic duty has committed sin."
He further asked the federal and state governments to consider declaring public holidays and possibly shutting down markets for one day or two, to enable traders and government workers to collect their PVCs ahead of the closing date.
He told his parishioners, who were stopped from receiving Holy Communion, not to see his move as punishment, but as a call to do the right thing.
2023 polls: Prominent Catholic Bishop sends strong message to Christians in Nigeria
Meanwhile, Nigerians especially Christians have been urged to make wise choices in the forthcoming general elections.
The Catholic archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama has called on the electorates not to be divided as the 2023 elections draw near.
Kaigama made the appeal on Sunday while delivering a homily at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Kugbo, Abuja.
Source: Legit.ng
