The conference of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State chapter, said persistent violent conflict is the reason the state is underdeveloped and has remained stagnated after 34 years of creation.
In a communique issued at the end of a three-day Ministers of the Gospel Conference with the theme, ‘THE ROLES OF THE CHURCH AND THE STATE IN ADVANCING GOD’S PURPOSE IN A CHANGING WORLD’ and a launch of ten billion naira for the reconstruction of a 5,000-seating capacity auditorium held in Jalingo, and signed by Rev Fr Williams P. Awoshiri, the state CAN Chairman, and Bishop (Dr) Innocent R. Solomon (JP), Chairman, Conference Working Committee, the conference lamented that rather than resolving issues as one people, consistent taking up of arms against ethics, and regular engagement in bloody violence has made Taraba backward in development.
It urged believers of Christ to return to the historic ‘Bishop’s Court approach’ in resolving conflicts among its members, rather than resorting to secular courts seeking redress, or picking up weapons to engage in bloody conflicts.
The conference urged church leaders to preach peace and peaceful co-existence, and shun denominational and ethical differences and unhealthy rivalry.
‘The reason why Taraba State is backward is because of the perennial bloody conflicts in the past. The consistent engagement in bloody conflict has made the state to remain underdeveloped.
‘Church leaders and Christians should learn conflict before it becomes a bloody violence. The Church has an extraordinary network for doing this; Church leaders should involve in peace building and managing conflicts which are of paramount importance to the development, economic survival, and collective progress of every community in the State that has been bedeviled by bloody conflicts in the past.
‘The Church should return to the historic ‘Bishop’s Court approach in resolving conflicts among its members, rather than resorting to the secular courts seeking redress, picking up weapons to engage in bloody conflicts’. The conference lamented.
The conference urged the Church to support government where it is doing good, and speak out the truth against corruption.
‘The Church should be a partner of Government in the State. Where Government is doing good, the Church should acknowledge and encourage it. Where Government needs helps, the Church should cooperate; the Church must retain the moral courage to speak truth to power.
‘The Church should confront the Government when things are going wrong and collaborate with Government when things are right. The Church should speak against corruption, injustice, and abuse of power.
Nevertheless, the Government must regard the Church as a development partner in carrying out its people-oriented policies in the State.
‘There is a serious need for Synergy between the Government, CAN and the traditional institutions: The Government needs to always consult and carry along the Traditional rulers while formulating policies affecting the citizens. The Traditional rulers are the custodians of the cultures of the people at the grassroots; Consulting and carrying the Traditional rulers along can bring the government policies into fruition. Also, Christian traditional rulers should collaborate with the leadership of CAN to promote Christian values in their domains.
‘On the Christian unity in the State: Conference resolved that strengthening Christian unity in the State has become imperative. The Ministers of the Gospel must practise what they preach by settling the differences within the various churches and denominations. Denominational differences should no longer be allowed to cause disunity and division among Christian leaders and Christians in the State. Our denominational differences must never become greater than the bond we share in Christ. The Church must become a place where people learn that differences do not have to become division.
‘Conference also resolved to develop channels through which Church leaders, traditional rulers, and Christians politicians can continue to engage regularly not only during elections or periods of crisis, but throughout the life of government and society, especially on policies and programmes affecting Christians in the State.
‘Conference resolved that Political offices should never be viewed simply as a reward or an opportunity for personal advancement. Rather, it should be understood as a responsibility entrusted for stewardship.
‘That the Church should provide moral and ethical leadership without being becoming an instrument of partisan politics. The Church must not merely produce Christians who vote, but it must also produce Christians who can govern, who understand the dynamics of politics, who understand economics, who understand security, who understand law, who understand public administration, who understand Agriculture, who understand Technology, education, and diplomacy. Therefore, the Church must not only prepare people for Heaven, but also for responsible citizenship on earth.
‘The Church and the State have different constitutional responsibilities, but both can contribute to the common good of the citizens. Therefore, the relationship between the Church and the State should be based on constitutional independence, mutual respect and constructive cooperation. The Church should complement government programmes in education, healthcare, poverty reduction, and peacebuilding’. The communique read.