{"id":120576,"date":"2025-07-13T18:51:28","date_gmt":"2025-07-13T17:51:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=120576"},"modified":"2025-07-13T18:51:28","modified_gmt":"2025-07-13T17:51:28","slug":"anglican-church-bans-politicians-from-speaking-on-altar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/anglican-church-bans-politicians-from-speaking-on-altar\/","title":{"rendered":"Anglican Church Bans Politicians from Speaking on Altar"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Oscar Okhifo<\/div>\n
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The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has announced a ban on politically exposed persons from\u00a0 speaking from the altar during church services, declaring the sacred space “out of bounds” for political speeches and campaigns.<\/div>\n
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The decision comes barely a week after the high-profile thanksgiving service held by former Rivers State governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at St. James Anglican Church, Asokoro in Abuja.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0The event, which drew top-ranking politicians and widespread media attention, appears to have reignited concerns within the church hierarchy about the growing politicisation of worship gatherings.<\/div>\n
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Church leaders stated that while politicians are welcome to attend services and worship, they would no longer be permitted to address congregants from the altar, which they described as a Holy place reserved strictly for preaching the word of God.<\/div>\n
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“The altar must remain sacred and not be reduced to a platform for political endorsements or public relations,” a church official said.<\/div>\n
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Observers have described the usurpation of the pulpit by politicians as a disturbing and increasingly prominent trend.<\/div>\n
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In the build-up to the 2023 general elections, it became a familiar tactic that unsettled many devout Christians who believe the house of God should not be turned into a stage for political campaigns or a venue for trading insults and praise-singing.<\/div>\n
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Critics argue that politicians not only engage in veiled campaigning during church events but often use the pulpit to launch tirades against opponents and curry favour with religious audiences by excessively praising the\u00a0 leaders they support.<\/div>\n
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There is also growing scrutiny on some officiating priests who, rather than focus on delivering spiritual messages, have become enthusiastic enablers of this unholy trend, eulogizing political guests and bending sermons to suit political interests.<\/div>\n
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\u00a0Many Nigerians believe that alongside politicians, such priests should also face disciplinary measures.<\/div>\n
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While the Anglican Church\u2019s stance has been widely welcomed as a step in the right direction, there are growing calls for other denominations and faiths to adopt similar policies and restore the sanctity of the pulpit.<\/div>\n
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By enforcing this restriction, the Anglican Church appears determined to draw a clear line between spirituality and politics, reaffirming the altar as a place solely dedicated to the worship of God and the preaching of His word.<\/div>\n
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