Pope Gaffe: Apology Not Enough, Lalong Told To Embark On Fast Condemn APC’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket

A group under the Catholic Church in Nigeria known as Mass Servants Association of Nigeria (MSAN) has reacted to the apology tendered by Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong to the Pope.

The group while reacting to his apology, listed some conditions to be met by Lalong.

GWG recalls that Lalong had tendered an apology following the comments he made referencing Pope Francis.

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In a letter to the Catholic Church through the Bishops’ Conference, Lalong admitted making an error when he linked Pope Francis with Nigeria politics and pleaded for forgiveness.

However,  the Mass Servants Association of Nigeria (MSAN), has said his show of remorse is not enough but must be proved with action.

In a statement on Monday, the MSAN demanded that Lalong must publicly condemn the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which according to the group could destroy the nation.

The group added that the governor must prove his apology by embarking on a 40-day fast and stepping down from his role as the Director-General of the APC presidential campaign council.

According to the group, except Lalong meets the listed conditions, his purported apology will still be seen as a charade.

The statement read: “Lalong must confess to the priest for reconciliation with God and with the Catholic Church”.

“even though God is merciful and forgiving, he does not declare the guilty to be guiltless (Ex 34:7).

Sin carries with it a need for expiation even after it has been forgiven. After David sinned, the prophet Nathan told him: ‘The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die: But since you have utterly spurned the Lord by this deed, the child born to you must surely die’ (2 Sam 12:13–14).

“The Catholic Church understands Jesus’ death as expiation for the sins ‘of the whole world’ (1 Jn 2: 2). This, though, does not eliminate the need for expiation of the effects of sin. In the sacrament of confession or reconciliation, the penance helps to remedy the disorders caused by sin (CCC 1459). Because sins often harm others, simple justice also requires doing what is possible ‘to repair the harm’.

“In the case of Lalong, he has blasphemed. He showed alarming disrespect to God and the Pope. The governor made sacrilegious remarks about God and our spiritual leader.

“Exodus 22:28 states, ‘You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler (Pope) of your people’. Such blasphemy is subject to punishment by death. For, to revile God (or those whom he appointed) was to call into question the integrity and holiness of God himself.

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“However, Lalong has apologised and claims to have repented. But his supposed show of remorse is not enough. He must prove it with action.

“First, the governor must embark on a 40-day fast and prayer to seek forgiveness. He must crave the face of God for turning against His people by supporting a seemingly doomed and demonic alliance.

“But most importantly, Lalong must denounce the APC presidential ticket. He must openly condemn this evil that could potentially destroy the nation. Except, these are done, the governor’s purported apology will still be seen as a charade. God can’t be mocked.”

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