The Priest of St. Christopher’s
Catholic Church, Wannune, in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue state, David
Mzer, on Wednesday reportedly embarrassed the state governor, Samuel Ortom,
over unpaid workers’ salaries.
The incident took place during
the thanksgiving mass of ex-governor George Akume, who celebrated his 64th
birthday.
Sun Newspaper reports that an
eyewitness, who spoke under anonymity, said Fr. Mzer, a young priest, while
delivering his sermon at the mass had urged Akume to give quality advice to
Governor Ortom on statecraft, including the issues of salaries.
The witness added that: “After
Holy Communion and before the end of mass, the Parish Priest requested Senator
Akume to make his remarks. The Senator touched on a few issues including some
explanations on the salary matter and requested that Governor Ortom be allowed
to also make brief remarks.
“When the governor got hold of
the microphone and started with greetings, the Parish Priest came from behind
and announced that he (Ortom) was not allowed to speak.
“Ortom, who was as surprised as
the congregation asked the Priest what he said and he repeated that the
governor was not allowed to speak in the church. The governor handed the
microphone to the Priest and went back to his seat.”
The witness disclosed that the
development sparked an immediate uproar from the congregation most of who
obviously disapproved of the remarks.
He further said that based on the
reaction of the congregants, the priest quickly brought the mass to an end and
as he was leaving, he passed by the dignitaries and stated that he only
complied with the directive of the Bishop of the Diocese not to allow the
governor to talk.
Meanwhile, the governor, in a
chat with newsmen after the mass, said he bore no grudge with the order of the
Bishop and did not want to join issues with the clergy.
On his part, Akume condemned the
action pointing out that the governor deserved respect as Chief Executive of
the state who had the right to speak with his people even in church as has been
the custom with all the governors of the state.
However, in a statement signed by
Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, and made available to journalists
on Thursday, the governor debunked claims of rifts between himself and the
Gboko Catholic Diocese, stressing that he is God-fearing and would not indulge
in rancour with the Church.
He also said he understood and
respects the decision of Gboko Catholic Diocese not to allow politicians to
speak during masses and therefore would not have felt slighted when the Priest
in Charge of the Wannune Parish did not permit him to speak during the mass in
accordance with the decision of the Diocese.
“We urge those amplifying the
incident and making inflammatory statements for political reasons to sheathe
their swords Governor Ortom is a God-fearing leader who submits himself to
Christian authorities and has enormous regard for the Catholic Church in
particular. He won’t allow the cordial relationship he has built with the
church over the years to be jeopardized,” the statement read in part.
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I am not a catholic but I love the church for it discipline. No politician should take the church in general for granted. The church and other religious body has a pivotal role to play in Nigeria politics. Austyn.
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