Innocent Okonkwo
9 November 2009
CATHOLIC Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria (CCRN) has lamented the effects of bad leadership to the development of Africa especially Nigeria and called on Christians to embrace politics and introduce positive change to leadership in the country.
The group which is hosting over 3000 Catholic Charismatic leaders from 15 nations of Anglophone African in this year's conference in Lagos from November 9 to 20 said, there would be a major turn around in the fortunes of the country if Christians go into politics, advising Christians to play their roles well in their respective positions to influence their world positively.
Briefing news men on the biennial Anglophone African Catholic Charismatic Renewal conference in Lagos, Chairman, National Organising Committee, Joe Bucknor and CCRN chaplain, Rev. Fr. Augustine Okhuelegbe said it was not proper for Christians to shy away from politics of the country.
Bucknor said through the conference, CCRN members would raise their voice to bad leadership in Africa, adding that the conference theme 'Africa hope of the church' was to highlight the place of Africa to the body of Christ.
He said God wants the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Anglophone Africa to be a prophet to the world, stressing that the group was convinced that Africa is the beacon of hope for the church and the world.
"It is time to let the Spirit lead the Renewal again. We need to be holy and praying people. In 2007, during the 1st Pan African Conference in Ghana, leaders resolved to close the doors of division and open a new door of unity, which is bringing about a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
"Prompted by the Spirit, the CCR leaders of Africa were convinced that Africa is a beacon of hope for the church and the world and we are called to return to the prophetic dimension of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal," he said.
Bucknor said the event was in line with vision of the CCR, adding that, only well informed and committed Charismatic leaders could be instrumental to the actualization of the vision.
According to him, the event will provide a forum for developing mature and well-structured leaders at all levels of CCR structure by helping leaders and upcoming ones to be good shepherds of the flock.
He said the conference will also offer participants the opportunity to pray for a new outpouring of charisms for evangelisation of the people of Africa and the world, celebrating and sharing charismatic experience and testimonies as well as providing vision and direction for leaders in Anglophone Africa and praying for love and peace in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
Notable speakers billed to feature during the event include former Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Rt. Rev. Anthony Gbuji; Bishop Kweku of Ghana; Rev Fr Emmanuel Tusiime of Uganda and the President of ICCRS, Rome, Mrs. Michelle Moran.
President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Rt. Rev. Alaba Job will declare the conference open while Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Anthony Cardinal Okogie, Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev Renzo Fratini, among others will address the conference.
Apart from leaders' formation and consultation during the event, there will be a public conference of the CCR between November 14 and 15 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos which is expected to attract no fewer than 30, 000 participants.
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