The retired Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Joseph Akinfenwa, has urged church leaders to speak out against societal ills and hold those in authority accountable amid the hardship, insecurity and unemployment affecting Nigerians.
Bishop Akinfenwa gave the charge on Tuesday during the ongoing 15th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria and the consecration of four new bishops at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
Addressing the newly consecrated bishops, the retired bishop said the Church had a responsibility to speak up when things were not going well in society and to draw the attention of leaders to issues affecting citizens.
He stressed that speaking out was part of the Church’s prophetic responsibility, adding that citizens must be willing to exercise their freedoms of speech, association, religion and thought.
“We must speak! In your various locations, speak against ills, call the attention of people to what they should be doing. Whatever happens, our democracy depends upon citizens who are willing to speak,” he said.
Bishop Akinfenwa urged church leaders not to allow fear to prevent them from telling those in authority when they were doing well and when they were getting things wrong.
He said the Church must listen to the experiences of Nigerians and speak on issues affecting them, particularly hunger, unemployment, insecurity and the rising anxiety over the future.
According to him, the resilience of Nigerians should not be used as a reason to overlook the difficulties many families are facing.
“Nigeria is a nation of extraordinary resilience. We endure, we improvise, we survive, we keep moving. But resilience must never be used as an excuse to ignore suffering,” he said.
The retired bishop also cautioned against limiting the Church’s response to prayers alone, saying prayer should be accompanied by practical action.
“When the people cry, the church must not merely say, ‘Let us pray.’ Yes, let us pray, but after we pray, let us ask, ‘Lord, what do You want us to do?’ Prayers must lead to action. Faith must produce works,” he said.
Bishop Akinfenwa further urged leaders to surround themselves with people who would tell them the truth rather than those who would only say what they wanted to hear.
He expressed concern that some political leaders might not be receiving enough information about the challenges facing ordinary Nigerians, particularly reports published daily by the media.
He called on Christians to continue praying for those in authority and urged leaders to ensure that they had advisers who would provide honest feedback about the situation in the country.
Turning to the newly consecrated bishops, Bishop Akinfenwa advised them to regard their elevation as a call to greater service rather than a reward or status symbol.
He urged the bishops to protect the dignity of the episcopate and ensure that their conduct reflected the teachings of the gospel.
Quoting John 9:4, he reminded them of the need to remain committed to their responsibilities and make effective use of their time in service to God and the Church.
“Consecration means that something has been set apart for God. You are not being consecrated for personal honour. You are not being consecrated for ecclesiastical status. You are not being consecrated so that people can add ‘My Lord’ to your name. You are being consecrated for the service of God and His church,” he said.
Bishop Akinfenwa congratulated the four new bishops—Godwin, Kingsley, Julius and Fatunsi—whose journey to the episcopate began with their election at the Episcopal Synod held at the University of Port Harcourt in July.
He urged them to approach their new responsibilities with humility, commitment and renewed vigour, while encouraging the Church to appreciate its past achievements and remain focused on its future mission.
