Anglican Bishops Warn On Arms Proliferation

Archbishops and bishops of the Eastern Province of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, yesterday expressed their concern over the security challenges in the country, and called on governments at all levels and other stakeholders to check the proliferation of arms in the society.
Speaking in Port Harcourt shortly after the Episcopal meeting of the joint Eastern province hosted by the Diocese of Okrika, the bishops said the Universal Church has not reneged on its role of spiritual intercession through prayers for the society.
The Bishop of the Province of the Niger, Anambra State, Rt Rev Okechukwu Okeke, who spoke with our correspondent, said government should be proactive in the management of the security system to check the activities of those threatening to compromise the security of Nigeria by giving arms to Boko Haram members.
He also tasked security operatives to be sincere in the discharge of their strategic duties and responsibilities in security management.
Also speaking,  Bishop of the Diocese of the Lake, Owerri Province, Imo State, Rt Rev Chijoke Oto said the church had not lost touch with its task of vigilance and praying for society, and declared that the meeting was necessary to strengthen the objectives of the church.
In his remarks, the host and Bishop of Okrika Diocese, Bishop Tubokosimie Abere, thanked the delegates for their presence, and emphasised the need for spiritual consciousness and unity among clerics.
He pointed out that the meeting has also provided opportunity for the delegates to acquaint themselves with the uniformity of purpose in the church.
Speaking during a special communion mass, Venerable Enoch Atuboyedia urged believers to live exemplary lives as role models to lead people to God.
Speaking on the topic “Serve For God’s Work”, Atoboyedia said true evangelism should be premised on the golden rule, which stipulates that we should do to others what we expect to be done to us.
Meanwhile, the Bishop of Okrika Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt Rev Tubokosemie Abere has described as a great delight and privilege the hosting of 55 bishops and their wives.
Rev Abere stated this in his welcome speech at the opening ceremony of a two-day Joint Provincial Council meeting holding at St Bethel Anglican Church, Amadi-Ama in Port Harcourt.
Chairman of the planning committee of the Joint Provincial Council meeting, Hon Justice Sika Henry Aprioku hinted that five provinces, Niger, Niger Delta, Owerri, Enugu and Aba participated in the meeting.

 
Chris Oluoh