Even after I drew his attention and explained that it is not even about the money but the psychological pain of these members, he still went ahead to say that since they warned the parents of these wards before marriage and they neglected the warnings, that they should suffer the consequences.
The Bishop’s utterances added clarity to the rumours that some parish priests who have been sympathetic to our cause suddenly stopped being supportive and with the excuse that a higher authority did not approve of them raising funds in their churches through second collections.
And I asked myself, What if I turn around to tell my members that they should not be coerced into going to churches, giving offerings, or having mercy on people just like the bishop did?
So far we have suffered enough trauma on the negative impression created by some of this mischief makers and political aides that our Association has been hijacked politically, and it becomes funny as to the clarity of these hearsays, because recently we published our financial activities and the total expenses was more than any support we received from an individual donor, Government or any organizations. In fact the Grand total of the financial statement was bigger than the donations we have received so far, because I raised money from friends and also through the help of our board chairman at our nascent stage.
The auxiliary bishop is trying to pitch us in bad light with the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, as he has always claimed that it’s the bishop’s responsibility and directives to give charity not his. It is worthy of note that some priests from these region has on numerous occasions brought their sickle cell members to us for upkeep, and we spend a lot on these persons without collecting anything from the priests. People should be cautious with these men of familiar spirits, and such actions as this is the reason why people no longer have regards for the bible verse that says touch not my anointed, and take to crime as serious as Kidnapping them and Robbing them because the so called anointed are the ones polluting the land.
Also, I posit that the residential chaplains in the State Government House should be reposted yearly, so that excessive familiarity and political affiliations that lead to certain peculiar incidents could be averted, like the one which happened few weeks ago where a Clergyman who is a chaplain with the State House chose to spread defamatory messages online against Mr Peter Obi, only to deny that he was not the originator but was only sharing the message. What is the difference between the originator and the sharer? Is the defamatory message the church catechism doctrine or bible verses he should be sharing?
I urge the Religious high ranking authorities to caution these clergymen who rope their paths with politics to the extent that they can no longer decipher good or bad, or being used as tools for political defamation.
Don’t you think it is rather painful for these members who would stop receiving support due to the prelate statement who is not even a member?
Yes you are absolutely Right my dear, as hard as the decision was, we discovered that we are faced with risk of losing my people to frustrations and granting the prelate his wishes by doing the same thing for letting my people to suffer the consequences of one Man’s guilt, just like the Society is punishing Sicklers to Carry the Cross of our parents ignorance. After the news broke out, we received inundating calls and messages as to APLSCD position on the situation, and we realised after much considerations that we would be achieving the Bishop’s aim of keeping these persons helpless, as it is not their fault that such utterances were made.
This is the reason why we need psychological therapists so that we won’t be acting out our emotions. Considering that our situation makes us impulsive and spontaneous. Thus, a psycho Therapist would help guide our emotional tone levels in situations like this.
I wish to apologise to my beloved members who felt the psychological pain of the news of the stopped support that it was rather an emotional statement that came out of the frustration and psychological pain of the Primate’s unreasonable utterance, and after considerations with calm minds. APLSCD have resolved to retract her earlier position on the situation. We now leave it to God who called him into his own vineyard and whom we together serve.
However, we urge the Prelate to reconsider his stance on charity toward my people, and remedy the situations of persons with the disorder as his flocks, Even if it means sending catechists and marriage counselors under him to go for genotype educational training, That alone could be the little he can contribute in his own way, Since he is allergic to lending a Shoulder for APLSCD.
This same Bishop in an earlier print publication in 2015 praised the Association’s efforts in combating the sickle cell scourge through sensitization and Advocacy. What do you think might have gone wrong for him to make the recent utterance?
Yes, those revelations coming from a priest whom we respected and adored for initially having our interest at heart, I indeed learnt a lot from him during that interview of the said publication where he exposed the whims and caprices of most Fraudulent NGOs which alerted us on the Agonies of the victims in the society. He also advised us that partnership with the church remains the only solution in reducing the numerous scam faced by the sickle cell patients therefore it was both psychologically and emotional traumatizing to see him make such utterances boldly to our faces. I think his utterance was informed based on his political affiliations and support for the party of his choice. This strange Ordeal started from the very day we received donation from former Gov. Peter Obi, and the day I vehemently opposed people who were calling distinguished Senator Uche Ekwunife a prostitute. Even if Ekwunife was my enemy, I would never let anyone call a fellow woman a prostitute for unjustifiable reasons, because as a moral crusader it is my duty to preach against such an immoral and disrespectful attitude towards a mother. APLSCD is an Association with no political affiliations, and can receive support from anyone and anywhere. We have no interest with our benefactor’s political Status or Hierarchy, and the Association can never be used for any political battle or campaign. We shall always write about those who support our cause for the records and will also pray and book masses for them as we always do, and no amount of politicking, oppression or chagrin would stop us.
It must be noted that I had a job before I started the sickle cell advocacy, and persons should not expect me to grovel before them. I once had an honourable and most respected career but resigned on health ground before now, I was a media consultant and I am still very much into the media business, and my personal dealings should not be Associated with that of the Association. Their pain is that the Association has been exposing all their trending mode of operation and would not sing their praises as other sycophants, so they have resorted to these utterances, hoping to break us emotionally and psychologically. Some of those pervert have formed a group, from within which they kick us from all corners.
Also, it should be noted that I had a strong moral upbringing from childhood and have not forgotten the morals I learned from my school then, Holy Rosary College Enugu, Through Chief Mrs. EU Onwuagha of Otolo Nnewi, So it is quite baffling to now see my tutors or supposed spiritual leaders living in dissonance with the morals they instilled in me. I have great respect for Men of God Especially the Bishops, because I was trained by one, Bishop Gbuji, bishop emeritus, through the then Diocesan Sec, Monsignor Anthony Iloanusi of Enugu diocese, and as a Girl Child my moral crusade started during my days at high school and cannot End now because of some selfish politicians.
I urge my members to be steadfast in the Lord and worship God who created them. They should not be carried away by the some of those deceitful and evil minded Clergymen and they should be ready to face any situation Mother Nature brings along with in the guise of any man, they are already known fighters and should never be deterred in the struggle.
Also, I wish to appreciate the kind efforts of the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most. Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor and also pray him to listen to our plea for a Chaplain as it would aid us psychologically and spiritually, as we believe that most of these utterances, altercations and bad blood could be avoided if we had a chaplain who would be mediating on our behalf.
And to the some of the clergies, they should retreat and review the reasons for their being called to the vocation and should take it seriously, as a lot of persons could be led astray by their actions and inactions.
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