Cardinal Onaiyekan: Governor Alia Was Suspended for Defying Catholic Church Rules on Politics

Former Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, explained why Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia is no longer regarded as a Catholic priest, saying his bishop suspended him after he entered partisan politics without meeting the conditions the Catholic Church requires.

Onaiyekan clarified this while speaking on the participation of Catholic priests in partisan politics and seeking elective political offices.

According to him, the Catholic Church encourages its lay faithful who are qualified to participate in politics, provided their motivation is public service rather than personal enrichment or the protection of wealth.

However, he said the Church’s rules prohibit ordained ministers, including priests, from engaging in partisan politics, except under specific circumstances and with the permission of their bishop.

“The law of our church has not been followed. He did not meet those criteria. His bishop told him no, and he decided he would go. His bishop said, ‘Okay, if you go, I suspend you,’” Onaiyekan said.

The Cardinal explained that a priest could only be permitted to participate in politics in exceptional circumstances, particularly where there are no suitable lay Catholics available, adding that such participation must first receive the approval of the priest’s bishop.

He noted that the bishop would also be required to consult other bishops in the country before granting such permission because of the wider implications of a priest’s involvement in politics.

Onaiyekan said Alia was suspended by his bishop from the moment he entered partisan politics, although many Nigerians were unaware of the development.

He added that while Alia may continue to dress in clerical attire, that does not alter his status under Church law.

The Cardinal also recalled the case of the late former Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, saying he similarly entered politics without the support of his bishop.

According to him, both Alia and Adasu went against the position of their respective bishops when they ventured into partisan politics.

Onaiyekan further said that, with the benefit of hindsight, there had not been convincing evidence that Catholic priests who entered politics had performed exceptionally well in public office.

He stressed that the Catholic Church considers political participation a serious responsibility and expects those who engage in it to do so primarily as a form of service to the people and to the greater glory of God.