Catholic Bishops task Christian leaders on Islamic studies

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

The Chairman, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, most Reverend father Augustine Akubeze, has tasked Christians leaders on Islamic studies towards enriching their knowledge.
He gave the advice yesterday in Benin City at the inauguration of the new executive of Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Edo State branch.
Akubeze who is also the Archbishop of Catholic church, Benin Metropolitan see, emphasized that the study the Holy Quran will be abreast with what are written there in and upgrade their knowledge.
The Cleric whose address was delivered by very Reverend father David Ogun, the Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Benin, said the church respects the tradition and culture of the land and has nothing against it.
He however warned against any act of practices, therefore the Christians should know virtually about everything.
“By the way, some of us who are Christians should also go and study Islam to know what they know, no knowledge is wasted, African Traditional Religion, (TRA) because the church also respects traditions and culture but what the church is against, is the fetish practice.
“The Africans respect lives, the church respect lives, the African respect age, the church respect age, the African celebrates anything that is good and the church does same”, he said.
He urged the church to intensify its effort in empowering the youth economically and also get them involved in the things of God rather than leaving them out, stressing that if it continues in such manner, in 20 years from now, the church will be left alone for the children and the elderly.
He advised religious leaders who are in the habit of blackmailing and destroying homes through hate sermons should desist from it.
On the part of the South-South zone Chairman of CAN, His Grace Archbishop Ege Israel, said the unity of the church is not negotiable and that the unity of the church reflects the glory of God in the lives of the Christians.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman of CAN, Bishop Oriname Oyonnude Kure, said he was going to serve the body of Christ with uncommon commitment and to lift up the body of Christ to a higher height.
In his goodwill message, Reverend Eghosa Omoruyi, the Senior Special Assistant on religious Matter to Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, commended, Edo State Chapter of CAN for their unflinching support for the government.