As attitudinal decay amongst bishops of Niger Delta extraction continues, the President of the International Integrity Bishops and Faithful Ministers, Arch. Bishop Friday Nwator has demanded for what he called ‘approved code of conduct’ for bishops of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Newswriter, Nwator said he can no longer tolerate the misbehaviour of some of the bishops under the auspices of the Niger Delta Bishops Forum.
The Arch. Bishop said as it is now the Niger Delta Bishops Forum is sick and wanting in composition. He noted that in Catholic, Anglican and Methodist Churches, bishops are orderly and respect constituted authorities but this is not the case in Pentecostal Churches, hence the need for this code of conduct to enthrone ethics in the system.
The medical doctor turned bishop said he is soliciting for a committee, comprising the chairman of the Niger Delta Bishops Forum, himself and few one or other members to screen, all the bishops internally, ensuring that only bishops with integrity and credibility will be adopted to carry out any assignment by the Niger Delta Bishops Forum.
The International Integrity Bishops’ President regretted that politicians who wanted prayers have fallen prey to these bishops with questionable character, some of who were consecrated in the canteen, dining hall and secretariat, with bad financial behaviour who he said swooped on the politicians in the name of Niger Delta Bishops Forum for the sake of exhorting money from them.
Bishop Nwator was emphatic that until such internal screening mechanism is put in place to bring sanity to the system he and his group- International Integrity Bishops College will separate themselves from the Niger Delta Bishops Forum. “Any fake bishop in adultery, any bishop who can steal money and of any guise can go as Niger Delta bishop. So that screening will differentiate the integrity bishops from Niger Delta bishop Forum”
This necessary so that politicians who want bishops to pray for them do not get deceived by their fake bishops”. Nwator further explained.
On how this can be achieved, Nwator said a committee comprising the chairman of the International Integrity Bishops College, Security agents and other officers can constitute the committee. The idea he said is to ensure that proper management or leadership is put in place to coordinate the activities of the Niger Delta Bishops Forum, ensuring that only credible ones represent the body.
According to the Arch. Bishop, if any politician requests for prayer, the request must be approved by the leadership of the body before action is taken on that and after such assignment; the leadership should be properly briefed of the entire project.
The man of God said until that is done, his name should not be associated with the current Niger Delta Bishops Forum as it is presently constituted. ###
