According to Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of the Nigerian Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, the Acts of the Apostles account of Matthias’ election to succeed Judas Iscariot, teaches the people of God in Nigeria valuable lessons during election seasons.
In a homily monitored by BVN, which he posted on Facebook on May 12, Archbishop Kaigama discusses the First Reading for the May 14 Feast of St. Matthias the Apostle.
The disciples gathered at Matthias’ election in Acts of the Apostles demonstrated their unwavering recognition that God’s will is final. As a result, they prayed and gave God the last say in the matter. According to him, Matthias was selected as an apostle in this manner.
“From the election of Matthias in the first reading we in Nigeria should beware not to allow our unhealthy political scheming to prevail each time we conduct elections,” he says, adding, “See the example of a flawless, God-inspired election. No violence, no rigging, no court case, no bitterness.”
The Catholic Church leader implores, “May our leaders be guided by such ethical and God-fearing conduct during elections and in governance.”
He goes on to advocate for “ethics and morality” in the politics of the nation. He says, “Let us do all it takes to develop our nation, to realize that all our political or economic actions must be inspired by ethics and morality.”
“We cannot see politics as only a means to affluence, influence /and unbridled access to our common patrimony. Enough of politics riddled with corruption that pervades the primary elections, the real elections and even court processes,” Archbishop Kaigama says.
He emphasizes the need for morality among politicians of Nigeria, saying, “Do not exclude morality from politics.”
“In this month of May as we pray our Rosary daily, may we all experience greater inner, social, political, and economic transformation,” the Bishop further implored.
In the May 12 Facebook text of his homily, monitored by BVN, Archbishop Kaigama also reflects on the 58th World Day of Social Communications Day (WCD) 2024, the annual event marked on the Sunday before Pentecost during which the Church celebrates the achievements of the communications media and how they can be engaged to promote gospel values.
“I call on our knowledgeable young people who use social media and other forms of social communication not to promote immorality and crime, but to spread those values and virtues that promote the common good and transform our world riddled with many social vices and anti-God policies and strategies,” he says.
“May the mass media effectively become an extraordinary resource to promote solidarity and understanding within the human family and not fuel prejudice and contempt between individuals and peoples,” Archbishop Kaigama stated.
