Obasanjo wants churches to join campaign for debt pardon
By Dickson Adeyanju, Patience Saduwa and Debo Oladimeji
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday urged African bishops of the Anglican Communion to join in the continent's crusade for debt relief.
He praised the clergymen for currently leading the campaign against the ordination of homosexual priests by their Western counterparts.
At the opening of the six-day All African Anglican Bishops Conference in Lagos yesterday, Obasanjo also charged the clerics to assist African leaders fight corruption on the continent.
The President charged them to use their offices to help Africa get debt relief or outright cancellation.
He said the debt question had become a powerful instrument of oppression and control.
"The combined effects of escalating interest payments together with heavy penalties for failure to pay on time are that most external debts cannot simply be repaid, however much we try.
"It has become a new form of slavery. Even when we have some funds to pay off specific amounts, the so-called creditors gang up and refuse to allow us do so.
"They prefer to reschedule the debts over long periods such that we pay the same amount two to three times over. Therefore, as the church stood against slavery and the slave trade, the modern church must unite to redeem Africa from the debt trap. God will be honoured and you will be performing your Christian duty of love to do so."
The President particularly lauded the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Peter Jasper Akinola for being on the forefront of the anti-same sex union crusade.
The conference, which holds at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, Ikeja is being attended by 300 Anglican bishops of African extraction.
In his address, Obasanjo asserted that "homosexuality is unBiblical, unnatural and unAfrican."
Obasanjo told the Christian leaders that African development was being impeded by external debt, urging them to help secure debt relief cancellation for the continent.
The president said that if there was one issue he would agree with Akinola on, it was the cleric's stand against homosexuals becoming priests and bishops in the church of God.
"I have followed with keen interest your principled stand against the totally unacceptable tendency towards same sex marriages and homosexual practice. Such a tendency is clearly unbiblical, unnatural and definitely unAfrican. Surely, the good Lord who created us male and female knew exactly what He was doing.
"To my understanding of scriptures, any other form of sexual relationship is a perversion of the Divine order and a sin. I, therefore, congratulate the Primate of the Church of Nigeria on his outstanding leadership in opposing the new 'teaching. We are pleased with you", he said.
Obasanjo urged the clergymen to be steadfast, remain on the path of righteousness and not succumb to intimidation, blackmail, isolation or even barefaced persecution.
The President continued: "Stand firm for the gospel and the word of God once delivered to the saints. At times like this, humanity needs men like you. History is replete with examples. Let your voice be heard within Africa and beyond."
Obasanjo also sought the support of the clergy for his anti-corruption campaign and other African rulers who have demonstrated their commitment to check the vice.
"The terrible effects of corruption are so manifestly devastating that all leaders with the fear of God must resolve to wage war against. Together, we should seek to shatter the chains of injustice, cleanse the cobwebs of ignorance, illuminate the citadels of darkness and expose all evil designs to loot the public treasury.
"Corruption negates options and opportunities for development, erodes the legitimacy of the state, mortgages the capacity of leaders to take firm decisions in the interest of all and contaminates the moral and spiritual foundations of society," he said.
Obasanjo further advised that African hospitality, which is usually open, unsolicited and without ulterior motives should not be mistaken for the evil of corruption which perverts justice, ignores due process and seeks to satisfy greed and avarice.
According to him, corruption is anti-development and must be fought with vigour, stressing that only righteousness exalts a nation, corruption (sin) is a disgrace to any people.
The President also sought better ties between the church leaders and government by being objective in their criticism of public programmes and policies.
He said that the reforms of the Federal Government would soon extend to politics and electoral aspects.
"As a government, we have never claimed to have all the answers. We have never shut out Nigerians. We have remained patiently responsive but resolutely focused. We have held more consultations on national issues with stakeholders than any other government in our political history. It is important that leaders in society, especially the clergy understand the challenges of moving the society and citizens away from the path of decadence, corruption, indolence, waste and compromised values to one of transparency, accountability, due-process, order, equity and competition", he stated.
Obasanjo described the conference as a milestone in Africa's struggle for a dignified, just and equitable place in an increasingly complex and competitive world.
Nigeria, according to him, feels privileged to host such a historic conference. "For Africa to become the focus for such a global gathering of important church leaders is an indication that our continent has come of age in the sphere of religious matters," he said.
In attendance at the opening ceremony was the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mr. Femi Pedro, representative of Most Rev. Rowan Williams, the head of Anglican Church worldwide, delegates from Asia, Latin and North America.
Pedro, who represented Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the government was committed to religious tolerance in the state.`****
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