The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) has thrown its weight behind Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, insisting that the Church has a divine responsibility to “speak truth to power.”

The National Executive Council of CLCN in a statement on Tuesday jointly signed by the National President of the council, Sir Ambrose Obioba and the Secretary-General, Mr Francis Olayinka Ojo, rejected allegations that the cleric breached confidence by commenting on the recent meeting between President BolaTinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

The council while noting that it represents more than 38 million Catholic laity, defended the Cardinal’s remarks and described them as a fulfilment of the Church’s prophetic mission rather than a violation of trust.

The council maintained that the Catholic Church has a God-given mandate to hold leaders accountable in line with the teachings of the Gospel.

The statement partly reads: “The Catholic Church in Nigeria, by virtue of the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching, has a God-given duty to speak truth to power, to defend the vulnerable and to hold leadership accountable with truth and charity.

“This is not ‘abuse of privilege’ but the fulfilment of pastoral responsibility. The Bishops, Priests, and Laity are called to be ‘Salt of the Earth and Light of the World’ even in the corridors of power.”

The council also dismissed suggestions that Cardinal Onaiyekan disclosed confidential matters from the meeting with President
Tinubu.

While acknowledging the importance of confidentiality in private engagements, the CLCN argued that discussions affecting the welfare of Nigerians cannot be hidden from public scrutiny.

“While we respect the sanctity of private engagements, matters that touch on the life, welfare, and future of over 200 million Nigerians cannot remain forever in closed rooms.”

The statement further stressed that “Cardinal Onaiyekan did not reveal secrets. He shared the moral concerns of the Church and the response of government, which is in the public interest.”

Defending the Cardinal’s character, the council described him as a man of peace, dialogue and integrity whose intervention was motivated solely by concern for the nation.

“We know Cardinal Onaiyekan to be a man of peace, dialogue, and integrity. His intervention was not to embarrass government, but to call the nation to conscience.

“A disagreement over facts, as the Presidency rightly noted, should not be read as arrogance. Neither should a pastoral reflection be read as a breach of trust.”

Calling for continued cooperation between the Church and government, the Catholic body urged both parties to sustain dialogue in the interest of national development.

“Government and Church must continue to work together for the common good. We urge both the Presidency and the Church to sustain the channels of dialogue. Nigeria needs moral voices now more than ever.”

The council reaffirmed its solidarity with Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, urging Nigerians to pray for national leaders and support policies that promote justice, security and relief for the poor.

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