Attack on Catholic Bishops is attack on entire Church, PFN fumes

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has publicly backed the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, asserting that any criticism leveled against Catholic leaders constitutes an assault on the entire Christian faith.

Bishop Wale Oke, the PFN's national president, voiced strong support for remarks made by Catholic bishops during a recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu. The bishops had stated that "Nigeria is bleeding," a sentiment Oke echoed, questioning the state of security in various regions like Benue, Southern Kaduna, Gwoza, Borno, Kwara, and Oyo.

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Are we not bleeding? Are we not bleeding in Benue? Are we not bleeding in Southern Kaduna? Are we not bleeding in Gwoza, in Borno State? Are we not bleeding in Kwara? Are we not bleeding in Oyo State?

Oke challenged the government's pushback against the bishops, emphasizing that speaking truth to power is a moral duty, not a political maneuver. He dismissed attempts to isolate the Catholic bishops, stressing the unity of Christians across denominations. "The Church of Jesus Christ is one," he declared, adding that an attack on Catholic bishops is an attack on the whole Church.

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Should anybody attack a Catholic bishop for saying that? That is the obvious truth.

The PFN leader also condemned the government's perceived silence on escalating violence against Christians in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Benue, and Taraba states, as well as incursions by violent groups into Oyo, Kwara, and Edo states. He linked these groups to Islamic extremism.

Regarding a proposed amendment to the FRSC Act that would fine bus preachers, Oke was resolute. Despite Senate clarifications that the provision existed since 2007, he insisted it must be removed. "We will break that law. Dear Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we will rather obey God than man," he stated, prepared for imprisonment for preaching the gospel.

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The Church of Jesus Christ is one. There may be many denominations, but we have one faith, one Lord, one baptism. The Church is one. If they attack the Catholic bishops, they are attacking the whole Church.

Furthermore, Oke urged the National Assembly to address Nigeria's membership in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which he claimed the country joined without public consent under military rule. He also called for a review of the 1999 Constitution, alleging it favors Islam.

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We will break that law. Dear Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we will rather obey God than man.