By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
The Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has urged leaders at all levels to do everything possible to create a better world for all.
Badejo made the call in his Easter message made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ibadan.
The Catholic Bishop called on leaders to deploy everything at their disposal, intelligence, finances, technology, art, creativity and power to create a better world for all.
“It is evil and malicious hypocrisy for any leader to claim ignorance or helplessness when evil is destroying people and property all around them; on such leaders will God’s judgement fall severely.
“Jesus condemned hypocrites, political leaders of his time for neglecting the law, justice, mercy and good faith as we see today in Nigeria(Matt 23:15-36),” he said.
He called on political leaders to deal with terror, insecurity and all sorts of vices in Nigeria without fear or favour.
Badejo urged them to emulate the servanthood and sacrificial life of Jesus Christ who applied all He had at His disposal to save His followers.
“To all our leaders I ask: What have you sacrificed to merit your status and mandate?
“Just as Easter crown cannot be authentic or real without the sacrifice and cross of Good Friday, in the same way your leadership cannot be real if you lay claim to no sacrifice,” he said.
The Cleric also urged all Christian faithful to interrogate their sincerity as followers of Christ and emulate the Master Jesus in holiness and obedience to God.
“We must embrace the total Christ who came to serve, not to be served and who laid down His life for the common good of all.
“Our priests, pastors and prophets must shun falsehood, speak the truth and live by works for mercy and compassion at all times.
“We must stop preaching only the sweet prosperity gospel by means of smart language and wise sounding words which make the cross of Christ pointless and give people false hopes of success without hard work (1. Cor. 1:17).
“To all Christians I say: be patient and enduring in your faith because ‘Christ suffered for you and left you an example for you to follow in His steps’ (1Pet. 2:21-25), emulate Him for through His bruises we have been healed.
“We should remember particularly that we have a mandate to spread the joy and hope of Easter in spite of current challenges through our sacrifice, for God turns everything to the good of those who love Him,” he said.
Badejo enjoined the faithful to use the opportunity given by Easter to make people around them and themselves as well to smile.
“How many can celebrate Easter in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Sudan or the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Plateau, Borno, Zamfara and other places in Nigeria?
“There are places where it is getting harder and harder to even have any hope.
“We should all be worried and roused to prayer and action; the world is in a mess and the Easter message of sublime love must prevail.
“Easter is the celebration of the risen Christ who won victory over death through sacrifice for humanity.
“Therefore, let hope not be lost because Jesus is risen. Alleluia.
“Happy Easter to all, to Nigeria and to the world,” the Catholic Bishop said. (NAN)
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