The Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Dr Anselem Umoren (MSP), has advised citizens to vote for credible and honest candidates in the 2023 general election.
Voting sincere leaders would bring dividends of democracy to the country, the clergy said.
Umoren gave the advice on Sunday during the celebration of ‘Christ the King’ and confirmation of faithfuls at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
He stressed the need for Nigerians to do good at all times and vote credible and honest candidates to power, adding that they should not allow selfish interest determine their choice of candidates.
“As Christians, don’t make choices for selfish interests, and your choice should be for the common good and benefit of all.
“You cannot be a good Christian if you are not a good citizen and if you do that you would be deceiving yourself.
“Christians should be good citizens by making the right choices, Jesus Christ didn’t die for himself to benefit from it, he died so that others will benefit and we should all learn from that,” he admonished.
According to him, the solemnity of ‘Christ the King’ was a call to Christians, especially Catholics to walk in the footstep of Jesus Christ, who showed love, forgiveness and died for the sins of others.
“Those who have treated us badly we harbour bad feelings about them and seek vengeance, forgetting the fact that God has forgiven us our sins and the Lord’s prayers should remind us of that always,” he said.
He explained further that confirmation was a Sacrament of maturity which enable the Catholic faithful to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and produce the fruits, adding that the fruits of the spirit is the criteria to judge life.
“I want to encourage you; confirmation is not the end of learning, let Jesus affect your life, so that no one will confuse you tomorrow. So also that you can have an impact on the people around you, your environment and the world at large.
“Let Jesus take control of your lives, you must live well and follow the right values. We can’t celebrate Jesus Christ as the King and we are dishonest,” he stressed.
Earlier, Rev. Fr. Gabriel Ekpe, the Parish Priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, disclosed that 216 faithfuls were conferred with Sacrament of Confirmation.
Ekpe added that the Bishop also laid foundation for the CWO skill acquisition centre.
He, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to embrace Jesus Christ, the King of Peace, so that peace can reign in the nation, especially in view of the upcoming election.
“The more we embrace Christ and enthrone him as king of peace, we can be sure of peace in our nation regardless of religion or ethnicity,” he urged.