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Written by RANA BAYOK Kaduna
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The presidents of the Senate, Mr. David Mark, at the weekend, attributed the high level of corruption in the country on religious leaders who he accused of abdicating their primary responsibilities and encouraging corruption.
Speaking at the opening session of the 19th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Kaduna Mark said some religious leaders in the country now resort to blackmailing politicians to extort money from them.
He said if religious leaders had lived up to expectation, the corruption scourge that has blighted the country would have been non reduced, stressing that religious sermons on Fridays and Sundays have become mere messages of convenience.
“The truth of the matter is that our religious sermons on Fridays and Sundays have become mere messages of convenience.
“Parishioners often leave their places of worship looking more with their mouths while listening with their eyes.
“Sometimes and without fear of being labeled heretic or uncharitable, public officials and politicians in Nigeria have been at the receiving end of an apparent blackmail emanating from our clergy.
“Daily, such officials are inundated with requests for financial aid which is way beyond our personal incomes and even where so provided, are above approved budgetary limits. And this demand cut across all religious bodies.
“I wish to share a personal experience with this eminent Synod of Bishops. Over the years I have vigorously supported the activities of a certain reverend gentlemen.
“Recently our life-long friendship suffered a minor setback when he received my support towards one of his causes. To my utmost surprise his reaction on receiving my widow’s mite was short of rejecting it out rightly, without recalling my previous support or hoping for better days ahead. I wonder whether he is behaving as he preaches or believes
“The action of some esteemed clergy men has left me in deep quandary for if I am to answer to the numerous requests from religious bodies that besiege my office on a daily basis, this may lead to a disconnect in my behaviour and the belief I profess.
“However, should I act to the contrary; the assertion from the men of God could be that David Mark does not believe because his behaviour indicates otherwise.
“Our collective experience today from our interaction with members of the clergy, Christian and Muslims is a signpost of do as I say, but not as I do.
“I challenge not only this Synod but the entire clergy in Nigeria to continue to be steadfast in their religious life.
“It is time for the clergy in Nigeria to consciously leverage on their God-given power over their religious congregations to minimize the wanton anti-social behaviour that bestrides our nation today.
“It is known fact that other nations are envious of our religiosity, yet there is a visible disconnect with the Godliness we profess and the way we act.
“We cannot claim to be whole in our belief if we look on or the other way, while others suffer dehumanizing conditions, hopelessness, hunger and despair.
“We must not look on if the majority has no access to decent education, a profession or trade.
“Nigeria would only realize its full potentials when Nigerians believe and behave according to what they profess, when they are judged by their positive conscience in serving God in whatever capacity they find themselves and are easily disposed to being associated with their conduct, attitude and character in the daily discharge of their duties and responsibility, according to the tenets of what we believe.
“The conversion towards the common good is no longer an onus on an individual rather it is expedient on all of us.
“It is the absence of this commitment that has become the bane of our country. It is as a result of our collective failure to believe and act according to the dictates of what we profess that men die of hunger everyday, that men live and sleep in hovels and slums, that some are unemployed, that some are forced to work in conditions worse than slavery, that our public institutions degenerate to sorry state while lawlessness is the norm and discipline the aberration.”
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