THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE TWELFTH CONFERENCE OF CHANCELLORS, REGISTRARS AND LEGAL OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION) HELD AT ST. MATTHIAS HOUSE, GUDU DISTRICT, APO ABUJA FROM 31ST JULY- 3RD AUGUST, 2023.
INTRODUCTION:
The Conference was held at St Matthias House from 31st July-3rd August 2023. The theme of the Conference was “EBENEZER: Hitherto Had The Lord Helped Us” (ISam. 7:12) with 168 delegates in attendance.
FORMAL OPENING.
The opening ceremony was chaired by the out-going Dean, Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev. Dr. Ali Buba Lamido, ably assisted by the Dean-Elect, The Most Rev. Dr. Blessing C Eyindah JP, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the leadership of His Grace, The Most Rev. Dr. Henry C Ndukuba, Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria. During the time with the Primate, His Grace, welcomed participants and exhaustively dealt with the topic “Decade of the reign of God: The journey so far” and prayerfully declared the conference opened. In his opening remarks, the Registrar, Barr Dr. Abraham N. Yisa MON, acknowledged the presence of every participant and urged members to continue to promote and look up to God our EBENEZER as we embark on this heavenly race. Other distinguished dignitaries present at the occasion included, but were not limited to, The Rt Rev Dr. Duke Akamisoko, Bishop of the Diocese of Kubwa, The Rt Rev Markus M. Dogo, Bishop of the Diocese of Kafanchan and Ven. Joshua Lambert.
Our Guest Lecturers were: The Rt Rev. Professor Dapo F. Asaju, Bishop Theologian and Bishop of the Diocese of Ilesha, Chijioke O P Emeka, SAN, H. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, Mrs Kehinde Ajoni, The Rt Rev. Chidi C. Oparajiaku PhD, Ven. Dr. Nelson Iluno and Dr Peter S. Nmadu.
At the conclusion, the Conference issued the following Communique:
THE THEME OF THE CONFERENCE
The theme of the Conference was “EBENEZER: Hitherto Had The Lord Helped Us” (ISam. 7:12).
Considering the challenges we face as a result of our experiences during trials and temptations in these difficult and evil days, the Conference called upon:
• All Christians to exercise simple faith and obedience to God for victory by living lives that are characterized by honesty, truth and integrity and calls on the Church to uphold the holiness of the living God.
• All Nigerians to look unto God for miraculous intervention in the affairs of the country and those of our individual homes as He communicates with us in diverse ways, including through visions, speech, dreams, etc.
• Government at all levels to turn back to God and forsake all vices so that there can be true development and progress in times like this.
COMMENDATION
Enthused by the immeasurable role so far played by His Grace, The Most Rev. Dr. Henry C Ndukuba, Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria through the support given to the Conference in ensuring its sustainability and the nourishment of the physical and spiritual minds of Legal Officers, Conference appreciated the Primate and urged him to continue with his leadership style so that he would be a veritable source of pride to the Legal Officers in particular and the Church of Nigeria in general.
THE ANGLICAN GLOBAL COMMUNION GAFCON
The Conference reaffirmed that the Church of Nigeria is committed to evangelism and proclamation of the gospel. The Conference called upon all Provinces in the Anglican Communion to uphold and maintain the faith of the Church as expressed in the Holy Bible, the Anglican formularies and the Jerusalem Declaration. The Conference unanimously supported the faithful and courageous leadership of the Primate of All Nigeria and the GAFCON Primates in their resolve to anchor Anglican Communion in the historic faith.
The Conference condemned in its entirety, the current move by some gay rights activists and western countries to legitimize same sex marriage and hereby unequivocally restate its unambiguous stand to keep upholding values that are in keeping with orthodox biblical faith. On its part, the Federal Government is further enjoined to continue to resist foreign pressure to make it rescind its stand on same-sex marriage.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF CHURCH OF NIGERIA MISSION ABROAD
Conference commended the giant strides being made by the Church of Nigeria on Missions and Evangelism in and outside Nigeria. In view of the huge gains being made in that direction, especially in the United States of America (USA), CANADA, Europe and our neighbouring African countries, the Conference recommended that a robust policy and legal framework be put in place to guide the establishment of our missions abroad.
RECENT FEDERAL HIGH COURT DECISION ON CAMA 2020
Conference applauded the decision of the Federal High Court on some Sections of CAMA 2020 infringing on the fundamental rights of Nigerians as they were inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution to wit: sections 839, 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847 and 851. It consequently adopted the position of the Honourable Court and urged the Corporate Affairs Commission to obey the judgment accordingly.
NOTABLE ISSUES WITH DIOCESAN CONSTITUTIONS.
Conference emphasized the importance of the Constitutions of the National Church and the various Dioceses. It recommended strict compliance with the provisions contained in the Constitution and Canons to avoid inconsistency and infractions with the National Constitution.
WELFARE, PENSION, AND GRATUITY: BISHOPS, PRIESTS, AND CHURCH WORKERS
Welfare, pension and gratuity remain a matter that is germane to Bishops, Priests and Church workers. Conference noted that over the years the management of welfare, pension, and gratuity schemes in Dioceses of the Church of Nigeria have been bedeviled by multiple and diverse problems. In this regard, Conference recommended that deliberate measures be put in place by the Church of Nigeria to ensure that there is an implementable national Welfare, Pension and Gratuity Policy/Scheme in favour of all Bishops, Clergy, Church Workers, etc, as a matter of urgency.
THE CHURCH IS EPISCOPALLY LED AND SYNODICALLY GOVERNED.
The Conference noted that the Anglican Church is Episcopally led and Synodically governed.
The Conference therefore enjoined-
a) That justice, equity and discipline are maintained at all levels of administration of the Churches.
b) Encouraged all organs of the Church to render selfless service as labourers in the Lord’s vineyard.
c) Urged all Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers of the respective Dioceses to ensure proper documentation and custody of all Church legal matters, etc. Bishops are advised to always encourage and sponsor the attendance of their Legal Officers at the annual Conference, General Synods and Standing Committees and all other statutory committee meetings of the Church of Nigeria in which Legal Officers are involved.
HEALTH MATTERS
Conference noted the importance of members maintaining good physical and spiritual well-being especially as the nation is experiencing a period of political, economic and social challenges and therefore calls on the Church to imbibe the culture of maintaining personal hygiene and health.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF REGULATING AND SETTING STANDARDS AND FOR RELATED MATTERS, 2023 BILL
On the Bill for the establishment of the National Council for Christian Education for the purpose of regulating and setting standards and for related matters was introduced on the floor of the National Assembly. Conference noted the stand of the Church of Nigeria rejecting the proposed Bill for reasons of its contradictions with the fundamental rights of freedom of religion, among other matters, and supports the recommendations that a national stakeholder consultative forum be constituted to address all the concerns on the matter.
GENERAL SYNOD
Conference resolved that Chancellors, Registrars and Legal Officers who are General Synod delegates should endeavor to attend the next General Synod to be hosted by the Diocese of Nnewi as their attendance and participation will enrich the deliberations the General Synod being the highest policy and legislative body of the Church of Nigeria.
Signed
Barr Dr. Abraham N. Yisa MON Registrar, Church of Nigeria
H. Odein Ajumogobia SAN Chancellor, Church of Nigeria
