Special Adviser comes for Catholic Priest who stopped the Governor from speaking during mass in Tarka,Benue State. .Read his epistle titled "IN DEFENCE OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH"

Hon Titus Zam,Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom has described Rev Fr Ashwe as an impolite priest for stopping his boss from talking in church during Senator Akume's Birthday at St Christopher Church Wannune.

The news of this incident in currently dominating the news and social media in and around Benue.Yesterday we published it for our readers too.

While the Governor's supporters are against the decision of the priest from Gboko diocese to stop Gov Ortom from speaking on non payment of Salaries, others are hailing the priest for acting that way saying politicians should take politics out of the church.

Today Titus Zam posted his epistle on the incident please find it below.

IN DEFENCE OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

By Titus Zam

Fr. Ashwe of St Christopher's Catholic Church wannune and Governor Ortom's mature conduct.

I was an eyewitness to the impolite and uncatholic treatment of the Governor by the host priest of st Christopher's Wannune, during the 64th birthday thanksgiving Mass of Sen George Akume which His Excellency attended.

I'm born into the Catholic Church,will remain a member of the church,die and shall be buried as a member of the Holy Catholic Church.

At 49 I have worshipped in the Catholic Church all these years both at home and abroad but never have I come across such an impolite behavior from a priest.

The Catholicism of my church is defined not just in terms of the universality of its teachings and doctrines which mark it out as one of the most liberal Christian formations, but also for the Catholic Church's capacity to respond/ respect the sociology of all societies.

This means that it's only in the Catholic Church that the sermon preached on Sunday is globally uniform so are the doctrines of the church.It also means that it's only in the Catholic Church the universal values of decorum and respect for civil authority must be upheld.

My knowledge of church history also tells me that a close affinity exists between church and state.

Indeed this fact is practically demonstrated by the political configuration in the Vatican where the Pope combines both the spiritual and political headship of the Holy city.

In Benue state i have attended several church mass presided over by their Lordships where political leaders below the rank of the Governor are allowed to address the congregation. In the Catholic Church a specific point in the liturgy is provided for such extra spiritual expositions or announcements.

It must be noted that in spite of the spiritual garments of the Church all human assemblies  are under the state and it's leadership.

The Nigerian state confers on the state Governor the right to enjoy certain privileges that are beyond the sacramental or diocesan limitations of a religious sect.

Some of these privileges even have Biblical roots,Christ ordered" give to Caesars what belongs to him". Christ submitted himself to be tried by Governor Pontus Pilate etc.

It's against the aforementioned back ground that I join several commentators in condemnation of the impolite restriction of Governor from addressing the congregation at st Christopher's Wannune.

Above all the preacher in the church made very strong political statements during homily which required the balanced intervention of the Governor, the universally accepted principle of Fair play/ hearing was denied His Excellency.

Should the church encourage repression? Where then can one find Justice if the Holy church is skewed to denigrate the person and office of the Governor? Fundamentally I commend Governor Samuel Ortom for that great display of  maturity and respect for the clergy.

One wonders if the Spacos of the past government were in the church and this ill- treatment was meted to the out gone Governor. Your Excellency I watched your very calm mein through out the incidence as you handed back the microphone to the powerful man of god.To God be the glory.

Hon TitusZam is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local government and chieftancy affairs.