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Bishop warns
govt against taxing religious houses
By Gbenga Faturoti,
Special
Correspondent,
Osogbo
Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has
warned the Federal Government against its plan to tax religious houses in the
country.
The Bishop of Ilesa Diocese, Olubayo Sowale
gave the warning on Tuesday while addressing reporters on the 30th anniversary
of the creation of the diocese.
Right Reverend Sowale said it is out of
place and wrong to ask religious houses to pay taxes, saying that all churches
and mosques are charity organisations.
On the state of nation, the cleric
regretted that the present administration’s poverty alleviation programme
has not helped the masses, describing the exercise as a failure.
“It is regrettable that the middle
class has been eroded. A gap is already created. And this gap is between the
rich and the poor. If care is not taken, the middle class would have gone
forever”.
He added that “I don’t see how
its (the poverty alleviation programme) is working. We don’t want to see
the government only on the television screen. We want to see them at the
grassroot. We want to see food on the tables of Nigerians and the masses want
to see good roads. The youths want job and all of us need good life”.
On the rejection of the national award by
renowned author, Chinua Achebe, the cleric threw his weight behind his decision
not to accept the national award given to him by government, explaining that
the nation and its leaders should learn a lesson from the action.
“It is a clear indication that
Nigerians are suffering; that government should look inward to alleviate the
suffering of the people”, he said.
While highlightening the achievements
recorded by the diocese, Sowale said its archdeaconries have increased from two
to 14, the priests from 14 to 102.
He also warned members of the church to
desist from corruption “as the church will not condone anyone found to be
involved in such shameful acts”.
Sowale stated further that the church has
resolved to investigate the source of wealth of members before giving them any
form of recognition.
“We won’t entertain any corrupt person in
Anglican Church. No matter how notable or reputable such a person may be. The
church is firm on discipline and the regulation is explanatory enough to keep
our members from such activities”, he said.
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