CAN Moves on as Catholic Church of Nigeria Withdraws from the Association

Withdrawal Letter from CAN

The Catholic Church of Nigeria stated on Wednesday that they temporarily withdrew its membership from the Christian  Association of Nigeria (CAN). Their reason? That CAN under Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has been compromised. Also because of some uncouth statements by some Christian leaders, and the use of money in CAN elections and several court cases involving state chapters of CAN.

Spokesperson for the 19 Northern chapters of CAN, Sunny Oibe, told Punch:

“There are some certain elements in the leadership of CAN led by Cardinal John Onaiyekan because he lost CAN Presidency to Oritsejafor who has a lot of achievements. There is no need for anybody to lose sleep over the threat by Catholics to pull out of CAN because without them CAN will still continue. The constitution of CAN makes provision that membership can be terminated by any group that is misbehaving or any group can also terminate their membership.

“Why is it that when Catholics were in the leadership of CAN, every bloc supported them, but now because power has changed hands, they are threatening to pull out and causing confusion?

"They have been agitating that the Presidency of CAN must come from the South. They are appendage of PDP and PDP themselves. They are known for double standards. A man of God should not be double speaking.”