The Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Adamawa State, Most Rev Stephen D. Mamza, has called on Christians across the nation to set aside their differences to form a strong and united Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for growth and progress.
Mamza made the call during a leadership summit organized by the Niger State chapter of CAN, tagged “The Power of Unity” in Minna, Niger State.
He said without unity of all Christians in the country, the purpose of establishing CAN would be defeated, while challenging leaders in various states to avoid anything that could tarnish their image in positions of leadership in the country.
Bishop Mamza also disclosed that though his two terms as chairman of Adamawa State witnessed a lot of trials, he succeeded by resisting external forces, especially from the government, to prevent infiltration of CAN that could lead to division among the body of Christ in the state.
Similarly, Pastor Pius Ogbu Sunday of the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, in his paper, traced disunity among the various denominations to the desire for physical expansion of churches rather than soul-winning for Christ in line with the vision and mission of the association.
He described disunity as a virus that has set the various blocs against one another, adding that if nothing is done to adequately tackle it, it would be difficult for the association to achieve its set objectives.
“Different denominations with vested interests would sink CAN if measures were not taken to unite the members. Our assignment is to nurture CAN to grow for all to benefit. We are shortchanged when we are disunited. When there is unity, there would be greater heights, greater power, and greater output. Why then do we violate the covenant that bounds us?” The cleric insisted.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Niger State CAN chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Yohanna Dauwa, said the summit was organized as a result of noticeable differences among the different blocs that made up the association in the state.
The state CAN Chairman, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, expressed hope that at the end of the summit, church leaders in the state will be more focused on building bridges of understanding among members of the association as they continue to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.