2019 Elections: ‘No PVC, No Holy Communion” – Lafia Catholic Bishop

Bishop Ishaya Audu

By JUSTUS NDUWUGWE, Abuja

Any member of the Catholic Church from Lafia Diocese who fails to obtain his or Permanent Voters Card (PVC) should forget presenting self for the holy communion after April 1, 2018, so says the Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Most Rev (Dr.) Matthew Ishaya Audu.

His Lordship made this known on Friday, March 9 at the Holy Emmanuel Catholic Church, New Karu and again, reinforced the position Saturday, March 10 at Mararaba deanery during his 2018 cathederaticum visit to the two deaneries.

Indeed, Bishop Audu said: “After Easter, there will be document on how to cast your vote, how to protect our vote which will be released, how to choose credible people who will use the power to help us instead of killing us. Every one of us must participate actively this time around to take our fate in our hands”.

He further admonished Christians saying, “Don’t be discouraged by the current challenges you are facing in obtaining the PVCs. If every one of us votes, we can make a change and choose the right people who will do the right thing”.

A thin-line seems to separate the preaching of His Lordship and that of his counterpart, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Diocese, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna who was recently attacked by loyalists of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

While some people said the prelate’s preaching was inciting, many others have condemned the attack on the Bishop as he remained the moral compass that has guided Imo state over the years.

Earlier in his sermon at New Karu deanery, the Bishop who centered his homily on Love of God and Love of Neighbour, advised parishioners to know that “we are all children of the same God, be it Christians or Moslems. We attend the same markets, drink the same water, breath the same air which shows that we are one family”.

“As Easter approaches and we undergo the Lenten season, we must return to God who created us in His image and likeness”, he also said.