Lent : Priest Calls for Sober Reflection On Ash Wednesday

Rev. Fr. Michael Okonkwo of St Paul’s Catholic Church, Ebute-Metta, has called on Nigerians to have  sober reflections before casting their votes in the forthcoming gubernatorial and state assembly  elections.

Source : The Catholic Company

Okonkwo made the call on Wednesday,  after Ash Wednesday mass  at his parish.

He said that it was a good coincidence that the gubernatorial elections would hold on the first Saturday after Ash Wednesday in the period of Lent.

“It should be for us, a period of sober reflection.

“We need to reflect on all that had happened in the past and go out to vote for our preferred candidates.

“This is very important, especially, for us as Christians.

“Those who share our values should be voted into power because governance is all about bringing out good values,” he said.

He added that Nigerians should go out and vote so that they could begin to hold their  leaders accountable.

“It is only when we vote appropriately that we can reap the dividends of democracy,” Okonkwo said.

He further said that Lent was a 40-day period of penance and drawing closer to God while praying for people around us.

“Most importantly, we are encouraged to pray and fast more in this period because it has a way of lifting our spirits.

“I always call it a grace period because it is during this time that we receive a lot of grace from God.

“It is a special period where we emphasize seeking and focusing more on spiritual things,” he said.

- NAN