Church can’t separate self from politics – Ex-aviation minister

A former Minister of Aviation, Ambassador Fidelia Njeze, has declared that the Church cannot afford to remain on the side-lines of governance, saying any church that distances itself from government does not wish the people well.

Njeze spoke in Enugu on Saturday at the official flag-off of the Church for Community Care and Good Governance (CCGG), an initiative of the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace under the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.

The event, with the theme, ‘Our Faith, Our Community, Our Future,’ was attended by church leaders, government officials and community leaders.

In her goodwill message, Njeze said the partnership between the Church and the Enugu State Government, led by Governor Peter Mbah, was a clear indication of a government that cares for the people.

She said, “It shows that we have a government that cares for the people. And that government is being led by no other person than Governor Peter Mbah. When you see a government that wants to partner the church, it is a clear indication that that government wants to care for the people.

“The church is the fastest way to get to the community. The church is the fastest way to intervene in the life of the community. So, for our governor and the church to decide to partner together, to engage together, is a very good vision that will touch and change the lives of our people.”

On the relationship between faith and politics, the former minister was unequivocal.

 “The church cannot separate itself from politics. Any church that separates itself from government means that church doesn’t want government to perform well. Because it is the church as an independent body that can critique the government objectively and constructively,” she stated.

Also speaking, the Project Lead of CCGG and Vicar for Public Relations of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Rev. Fr. Longinus Ugonwa, said the initiative was borne out of the conviction that faith must make a tangible difference in the lives of the people.

He said, “What is the value of a faith that does not touch the lives of the people around us? Our faith must be seen in the way we care for one another, respond to human needs, promote justice and contribute to the development of our communities.”

Ugonwa stressed that CCGG is not a political party and would not be used to promote or attack political personalities.

According to him, the initiative is non-partisan and committed to truth, responsible citizenship and the common good.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Enugu East LGA, Pastor Dan Anike, commended the Church for the initiative, noting that it had moved beyond mere advisory roles to practical intervention.

Anike added that the Church’s closeness to the government had contributed to the development witnessed in Enugu State, citing the Smart School, primary healthcare centre and dualised road in the area as evidence of the partnership’s impact.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of CCGG caps and pull-up banners and the official flag-off of the initiative and its Community and Civic Festival.