Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) did not visit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convert him to the Catholic faith.
Onaiyekan made the clarification while responding to comments from government officials following a recent meeting between the Catholic bishops and the President.
The cleric said the bishops’ engagement with Tinubu was not about religious conversion, but about discussing issues affecting the country and the welfare of Nigerians.
Onaiyekan responds to Presidency
The development followed criticism from government representatives over comments attributed to Onaiyekan concerning the Tinubu administration.
The Archbishop Emeritus indicated that the Catholic bishops were not interested in engaging government spokespersons in a prolonged public exchange.
He maintained that the bishops’ responsibility includes speaking on issues of national concern and offering their perspectives on matters affecting Nigerians.
Why the meeting mattered
The engagement between the Catholic bishops and the President came amid continuing debate over Nigeria’s economic situation, insecurity and the direction of government policies.
Onaiyekan has consistently been outspoken on national issues, including governance, security and the welfare of citizens.
His latest response therefore places the bishops’ engagement with the Presidency within the broader context of their role in speaking on matters affecting the country.
Catholic Church and government relationship
The exchange has also renewed discussion about the relationship between religious institutions and the government.
While the Presidency has defended Tinubu’s record and policies, Catholic leaders have continued to raise concerns about issues they believe require government attention.
Onaiyekan’s latest remarks suggest that the bishops intend to maintain their focus on national issues rather than engage in personal exchanges with government spokespersons.