‘Silence, compromise of the church have worsened societal ills’ – Methodist Archbishop

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

A Methodist Archbishop, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, has called on Christendom to ensure that Jesus Christ remains the essence of Christmas instead of allowing celebrations to overshadow the reason for the season.

Most Rev. Opoko, the Archbishop, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Archdiocese of Umuahia, Abia State, who made the call in his Christmas message made available to The Oracle Today, identified misgovernance and violent crimes as factors fuelling the increasing darkness fast enveloping the world.

He lamented that it was disheartening that the Church was endorsing evil instead of remaining the beacon of hope for light and salvation which the birth of Jesus Christ celebrated at Christmas brought to the world.

“As Christians, we would lose the essence of Christmas if we put the trees, carols, cards, candles and hampers ahead of Christ. Jesus Christ must remain the essence of Christmas. Christmas affords us as Christians the opportunity of re-echoing in great tones the birth of Jesus Christ which ushers us into a season of light and hope,” Archbishop Opoko said in the message which he personally signed.

 “Our Lord Jesus Christ is the focus and essence Christmas.  He is the true light that gives light to everyone. He is the perfect gift to mankind. The light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot comprehend, overpower, appropriate or absorb it. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind,” the Archbishop added.

 The message further read: “Consequently, Christmas is the celebration of the light and life that remains the light of all men. Christmas calls for the remembrance of the perfect gift to all mankind and a deep reflection of the essence of the birth of Christ Jesus to the world.   

“The sights, paraphernalia and decorations is and cannot be Christmas.  The Christmas sales leading to reduction in prices of goods and services is not Christmas.  They may be classic market strategies to give back to the society and customers with the view to maintaining customer relationships.  The masquerades and the concept of Father Christmas are not in itself Christmas.  Presentation of gifts, as good as they are, in themselves are not Christmas. Christmas is not folks and family members returning home. All these may point to and show more about the season of Christmas, but they are indeed not the essence of Christmas nor Christmas.

  “Christmas is solely and all about the birth of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  The light of the world. The life that gives mankind perfect illumination.  Christmas is about the celebration of the beginning of our redemption and salvation in Jesus Christ. Have we deeply reflected upon the purpose for which Our Lord God Almighty gave us the perfect gift in Christ?”  

He, therefore, challenged Christians to lead their lives in a manner that would make them to become light to others.

 “As Christians, we must show love and light to all people.  We must share the love of God. As Christian leaders, we must become the voice of the voiceless, telling the truth with love to those in power and positions of authority. As political leaders, we must fear God and ensure that we care for the welfare and well being of our people.  Health-care, educational and housing must be provided to the citizens; salaries, pensions and gratuities to be paid as at when due, provision of amenities and democracy dividend need be done,” he said.

Opoko maintained that Christmas was a period for Christians to reflect on the extent they have been able to shine the light of Christ in them to the “dark world”(people around them) and an opportunity for people to accept Jesus as the light of the world into their lives. .

“We must draw strength anew from the birth of Christ. We must remember that His birth brought light to people who were in obvious darkness. We must remember that he came as a wonderful Counsellor to our confused state; a mighty God who can cause us to smile even at the storm; an everlasting Father who can never fail us and the Prince of Peace who has come to give us peace,” the cleric said.

According to the Archbishop, there was a big battle between the darkness of the World and the Light of Christ: He lamented that the Church has compromised and endorsed things that were evil.

“It is crystal clear to all and sundry that we live in a time where darkness and, indeed, gross darkness has enveloped our world. In the western world, abnormality and insanity has been approved as a normalcy. A man is allowed to marry a fellow man, the same is also true of women. Human beings can decide to marry animals. Indeed, the high level of development and enlightenment is seen in the obvious darkness that seemingly beclouds the western world.  

“It is very disheartening to know that the Church which should be the hope of light (Christ) is endorsing this obvious activity of darkness. This trend would let us know how dark the world is becoming and how true the prophesy of Isaiah 60 has become,” he said.  

He noted that Africa was not free from the darkness being referred to, thus making “the wrong label” given to Africa by the West as ‘the dark continent’ to become “an obvious reality.”  

“Governance in Africa suggests darkness: Killings by bandits and unknown gunmen suggest gross darkness. Some citizens in Africa who cannot see electricity, good roads, portable water, good medical care and, worst of all, non-payment of salaries can attest to the fact that darkness has covered the earth.  

“On the global scene, what can we say about the deadly virus that brought the whole world to a standstill? Nations of the world are still grappling with the adverse effect of Covid-19 on every sector of the economy.

 “The worldly governance has shown thick darkness of insincerity, unrighteousness, lack of transparency, faithfulness, corruption, politics of rancour and bitterness, apparent insecurity, mirage leadership and more. The lack of commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of the masses is bringing thick darkness on many families, lack of payment of salaries, non-payment of gratuities and pension have all brought pain and anguish to many families.  

“Poverty of spirit and gross poverty occasioned by misgovernance and treachery of religious leaders have contributed to the darkness.

“The killing, maiming, rape of young women, kidnapping, abducting and wasting of precious lives and properties are evidences of this darkness in the world today. Beloved, this obvious show of darkness in our world today, is becoming increasingly frightening and worrisome.

“The silence of the Church and, above all, the compromise of the Church, has worsened this deep darkness and the ray of hope seem to be dashed; despair and frustration took over resulting to increase in health and spiritual challenges,” he noted.