Based on my master’s degree in Christian liturgical studies, the photos of the Clergy
at the unveiling of the APC 2023 Vice-presidential Running Mate do not accurately
represent clerical vestments and habits in a public function. Therefore, my claim
and analysis emanate from the two photos I received.
Firstly, Priests don’t wear chasubles outside a liturgical worship service. The person
wearing the Chasuble is presumed to be a bishop base on the purple Cassock.
However, bishops don’t dress like this for political functions. Also, the person with
the black Cossock is alleged to be a bishop. However, bishops don’t wear a black
Cassock to such functions.
Secondly, Priests don’t also wear a stole to such a political function. And how can
Does a Priest wear a stole on a suit without a priestly collar? Unfortunately for them, the
liturgical color for today, Wednesday, 20th July 2022, is NOT RED.
Thirdly, look closely at the ‘white Cassock with cape’. The White Cape with the red
the ribbon on the edge is put on top of a white Jalabiya. Most importantly, do you think a
mainline or a Pentecostal pastor will wear a Cassock without ironing, especially to
a political gathering of such magnitude where people connect for relationships and
networking?
Fourthly, both mainline and Pentecostal pastors have and respect hierarchy and
understand protocol; therefore, they cannot queue in public gatherings without
respect and honor.
Generally, everything about the photo is disturbing, insulting, and undermines
priestly intelligence. Therefore, APC, next time, kindly invite COMPETENT
dressed ‘pastors’ to the unveiling of a “COMPETENT” vice presidential running
mate.
Food for thoughts!
- Are these men invited or hired? No matter the answer, the Christian
The Association of Nigeria (CAN) is not a law enforcement organization. Its
political responsibility is to speak truth to power, create awareness and
mobilize its members to embrace or reject the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket.
However, members of CAN are free to express their political agency.
- The photos are political strategies deployed to create and wield mistrust and
division in CAN. It shows that CAN is a force to reckon with in 2023
elections. Therefore, the APC fears CAN’s ecclesiastical mobilization for
active political participation against the Muslim-Muslim ticket, as
expressed on various media platforms.
- Why invite Christian religious leaders to a political party gathering that de-
emphasizes religion? Is this a double standard or an acknowledgment that
religion is older than the “democratic system” in Nigeria and, therefore,
cannot be ignored? Hence, political parties must understand and appreciate
the relationship between religion and politics for human flourishing and
national transformation.
Ishaya ANTHONY
Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice
University of the Western Cape
South Africa