Abuse of authority: Urgent Need for accountability among Nigerian clerics
Religion occupies a central role in the lives of millions in Nigeria, shaping morals, guiding societal norms, and fostering community.
However, the misuse of religious authority by some leaders has become a growing concern. Particularly troubling is the trend of pastors employing law enforcement agencies to silence critics, raising serious ethical and societal questions.
This piece examines the implications of such actions, explores the responsibilities of religious leaders, and advocates for accountability and transparency in spiritual leadership.
Religious Leaders, Police Intimidation
Reports of pastors leveraging their influence to enlist police forces in arresting critics have emerged across Nigeria. These arrests, often based on allegations like defamation or “character assassination,” reveal an abuse of power under the guise of protecting reputations.
Targets of these arrests include whistleblowers, journalists, former congregants, and even fellow clergy. Instead of fostering dialogue or resolving disputes amicably, these leaders resort to legal intimidation, contradicting the principles of forgiveness, humility, and accountability foundational to Christian teachings.
Implications of Misusing Police Power
– Erosion of Trust: Misusing police power alienates the faithful, undermining the moral credibility of religious institutions. Actions contrary to Christian values like tolerance and reconciliation damage public trust.
– Suppression of Free Speech: Criminalising dissent stifles dialogue, discouraging critical engagement with religious teachings and setting a dangerous precedent.
– Distracting from Spiritual Duties: Engaging in power struggles detracts from pastors’ primary role of spiritual guidance and pastoral care.
– Legal and Ethical Concerns: Using police for intimidation violates human rights, exposing leaders to legal repercussions and public backlash.
Biblical Perspectives on Leadership and Accountability
The Bible provides clear principles for spiritual leadership. In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus urged leaders to serve others, not to lord over them. Similarly, Proverbs 27:17 emphasises mutual accountability: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
A pastor’s authority should inspire exemplary conduct, not shield them from scrutiny. Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans for critically examining Paul’s teachings, reinforcing the importance of open engagement in faith.
Steps to Promote Accountability
1. Internal Oversight: Establish oversight committees to address grievances and mediate disputes within churches, reducing the need for external interventions.
2. Encouraging Dialogue: Cultivate openness where constructive criticism is welcomed, fostering unity and resolving misunderstandings.
3. Educating Congregants on Their Rights: Empower followers with knowledge of their rights in religious and legal contexts, promoting balanced power dynamics.
4. Restricting Law Enforcement Use: Police should only intervene in genuine criminal cases, not as tools for settling personal scores.
5. Role of Christian Associations: Bodies like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) should enforce ethical guidelines and hold erring leaders accountable.
Need for Reflection and Repentance:
The actions of some pastors present an opportunity for introspection and reform. Leaders must prioritise the spiritual and emotional well-being of their flock, embracing genuine repentance and Christ-like humility to restore their credibility.
Congregants, too, must balance respect for leaders with a commitment to truth. Blind loyalty to human authority, no matter how charismatic, can lead to spiritual and societal harm.
The misuse of police power by pastors to silence critics undermines Christianity’s core principles, damages trust and stifles democratic ideals. By embracing openness, fostering accountability and adhering to biblical teachings, the Christian community can address these concerns and uphold ethical leadership.
Religious leaders are stewards entrusted with guiding their congregations in truth and love. Abusing this trust for personal gain or silencing dissent betrays their divine calling. As Christians, we must collectively strive for a faith that reflects Christ’s humility, compassion, and integrity—uplifting and uniting, rather than intimidating and dividing.
In conclusion, suffice it to say that religious leaders are stewards of their congregations, entrusted with the scared duty of guiding them in truth and love. Abusing this trust for personal gain or to silence dissent is a betrayal of their divine calling.
As Christians, we must collectively strive for the faith that reflects the humanity, compassion, and integrity of Christ – a faith that uplifts and unites, rather than intimates and divides.
* Dimas wrote in from Laurel, Maryland, USA via Ddimas01@yahoo.com
