EKPOMA – Christians in Nigeria, irrespective of denominational affiliation have been charged to break the bands of disunity and come together to form a united front in the country.
The Bishop of Esan Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev’d Gabriel Elabor made the call while speaking with The Nigerian Observer at 2021 Synod of Esan Diocese which had as its theme: “Have you seen this O Mortal?”, held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Idumebo, Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area Of Edo State.
The Anglican Bishop also stressed the need for Christians to be actively involved in politics in order to be part of decision making in the country, noting that politics will remain dirty, if left for ordinary people.
He called on all Christians to depart from iniquity and come to a round table to discuss the way forward, and then team up.
“We who call our selves Christians have sold our rights to people who will call as infidels due to selfishness. It is high time we as Christians go back, retrace our steps to discover where we missed it and fix it.
“There is no unity among Christians in Nigeria. Hence you discover the Muslims are succeeding, the Christians look as if they are not succeeding. So I’ll beg Christians, irrespective of denomination, to come together to a round table to discuss the way forward, then team up.
” Also, Christians are running away from politics, seeing it as a dirty game. If you are not there as a Christian, it becomes a dirty game. You are to participate and make it a better game for humanity and our nation “, he submitted
On his reason for the Synod theme ” Have you seen this O Mortal”, he explained that it was meant to engender true repentance in the diocese, noting that what played out in the process leading to his election as the new Bishop, showed that many in the diocese were not fully born again.
He stated that he had through the Synod theme, called on all to repentance, and was sure the entire diocese got the message, and were already acting on it.
” The theme of this year’s Synod, “…Have you seen this Oh Mortal?” is a call to repentance. Looking at what happened prior to my election as Bishop, I saw a people who are practicing Christianity that looks like Christianity, but not actually. Having all the religious rituals but the Born Again attitude is not there.
“So this Synod been my first as Bishop of the diocese, we had to start with this to redirect them. If you say you are born again, then you should give your life to Christ. If you say you have repented from sin, let the repentance be genuine.
“So, through this Synod, I believe I have been able to draw their attention that they’ve gone far from God. With the atmosphere that I saw during the Synod, I’m sure the theme is already working. We are going to see much difference within the next one year”, he assured.
