Cleric Hails Govt, Church Relationship

A senior priest in the Anglican Church of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, Venerable Israel Omosioni has hailed the cordial relationship between the government  and the church.

Venerable Omosioni, who is the Rector of Emmanuel (Ang) Church,  Okoro-Nu-Odo deanery, said  the move is healthy and would strengthen the collaboration of the duo in directing the physical  and spiritual life of the citizens for good governance and a better society.

In an exclusive interview with The Tide last Sunday  in his office at the mega church, the rector said the task for social re-engineering and good governance is the collective responsibility of the citizens and social institutions including the church, and should not to be left alone to government and its agencies.

The Isoko-born  charismatic Anglican Priest said “the church has been supportive of good governance at all tiers of government” and that this has influenced government’s decision to give the church members governmental positions to serve humanity.

He cited the participation of the Anglican priests and laity  in monitoring the electoral process last April, saying that  the success of that exercise means that all hands must be on deck, if the nation must evolve  a workable and credible  system.

Venerable Omosioni who remarked  that the church and government officials in the 70s were involved in what he called “occultism”  however said the pattern has changed for good as most government officials  are practical  Christians and participate effectively in the things of God.

Government, he said, should protect the church, and not shy away in supporting it financially to encourage  the church to sustain its prayers for government and the nation.

But the  cleric  was critical about the attitude of some government officials who break the law  which they are meant to maintain. He cited a situation  where members of the force drive  against traffic and brazenly park at no-parking designated  areas.