Worshippers Stay Away From Churches In Kaduna

Bishop Wants FG To Implement Post-Election Violence Report

FOLLOWING the recent violence in parts of Kaduna State, in which some churches were adversely affected, worshippers now stay in the comfort of their homes on Sunday, away from service, the Bishop of Kaduna Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rev. Josiah Idowu Fearon, has said.

Addressing the first session of the 19th Synod of the church in Kaduna on Friday, Fearon lamented that attendance at churches had dwindled to a mere 30 per cent, culminating in 60 per cent drop in financial support for the ministries of Jesus Christ.

“A significant number of our members now prefer to stay within the safety of their homes, rather than to go to church to be bombed to death,” he agonised.

He noted that violence kept erupting in parts of the country because government’s seeming softness on those believed to be stoking ethnic and or religious violence in the country.

To this effect, the has tasked President Goodluck Jonathan to monster the courage and implement the recommendations of the Sheik Lemu Panel set up after the post-presidential election violence in the country, saying this would help some state governments rise to the current security challenges they are facing today.

The clergy insisted that Jonathan must summon the courage to assist some state governments, particularly in the north affected by the last post-election violence to by giving them some financial assistance, as recommended by the panel.

He said: “This Synod is calling on the President to, as a matter of urgency, pick the courage and assist the state governments to implement the recommendation of the Sheik Lemu Panel.

“Implement a little sum of money recommended for those who lost their businesses. This will enable them start again even if on a small scale.

“It will also convince Nigerians that this government is interested in the well-being of Nigerians.”