Photo: CISA News Africa
CISA News Africa, Abujan — “The existence of many Pentecostal churches is no impediment to the evangelization mission of the Catholic Church in Nigeria and neither is it a cause for panic.” This was declared by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, in a paper entitled “The phenomenon of Pentecostal Churches in Contemporary Nigeria” presented at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Germany and the Pontifical Council for Promotion of Christian Unity, held recently at the Casa Pastor Bonus in Rome.
The cardinal pointed out that “the flourishing of Pentecostal Churches is itself questionable. There go up and down and the constant splitting means that we cannot be sure where they are heading, and what future they have. In fact, we are still to see what happens when the founders die and succession takes place. Some cases have shown that it is a problem that they still have to deal with”.
“Therefore” – said the Cardinal – “we need not panic or think that we shall all become Pentecostals sooner or later”.
In his report, the Cardinal traced the genesis of the Nigerian Pentecostal Churches from the early beginning of the classical Pentecostals in England and America to the present day groups.
Cardinal Onaiyekan also identified some “strong points in their fellowship which can be of value to the Catholic Church, especially young people who are insecure and are looking for a breakthrough especially in jobs and employment”.
But he concluded, “there is much talk about losing members to these churches. But there are no statistics in this matter, nor have we tried to get any such figures. What we can say is that if the Catholic Church is losing members, other Churches are losing more than we are.”
Meanwhile Nigeria’s President Mr Goodluck Jonathan was taken to hospital for “precautionary” medical attention while in London according to his aide.
Reuben Abati, the president’s aid said in a statement: “The Presidency wishes to assure all Nigerians that President Jonathan’s condition is nothing serious.”
President Jonathan was in London for the three-day Honorary International Investors Council (HIIC), an organization of prominent investors from around the world that advises the Nigerian government on matters pertaining to the country’s economic development.
The president could not attend the meeting on Thursday November 21 after falling ill according to Mr Abati who added that after examination the President was asked to take a rest.
“President Jonathan has since been examined by competent medical practitioners. He has been advised to rest for a few days,” Abati said.
President Jonathan took office on May 6, 2010 following the death of Musa Yar’Adua, his predecessor who died shortly after returning to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia where he was receiving treatment for poor health.
