Church attendance drops 30 percent in Kaduna - Bishop

he Kaduna Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) said on Friday that worshippers’ attendance in churches in the volatile state has dropped by 30 per cent.Fearon said the drop in attendance has also led to a corresponding drop in financial support to the churches through the offerings, tithes and fund raising for the development of projects. He specifically attributed the decline in churches’ fortunes to the spate of attacks on Christians during services by the deadly Islamic sect- Boko Haram.

“A significant number of our members now prefer to stay within the safety of their homes rather than go to church and be bombed to death,” the cleric said, adding that the security challenge has adversely affected the entire northern region economically, socially and politically. Fearon flayed the incessant killings in some of the northern states, in spite of pleas from religious leaders, individuals and national and international organisations.

He however called on the Federal Government to urgently assist the northern state governments to implement the recommendations of the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu panel aimed at restoring peace.   The Bishop said the panel had recommended that some form of financial assistance be given to all victims of the April general elections violence.

“This will enable them start all over again, even if on a small scale, it would convince Nigerians that this government is interested in their well-being.” The clergy man decried the indiscriminate display of wealth amidst hunger and recklessness in the spending of money meant for development projects and cautioned that “all these happenings in the face of poverty must stop.”

He also advised political leaders to embrace discipline so as to encourage youths to be useful citizens.   The cleric admonished governors to search their consciences and begin to work for the well being of the electorate.  “Unless there is a definite attitudinal change on the side of our political leaders and politicians, they may not be able to control the present security challenge in the country,” he said.

Source:  Businessday