Archbishop seeks more roles for women
Kaduna, June 23, 2006- Archbishop of Kaduna province and Bishop of Kaduna diocese (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev Josiah Idowu-Fearon has called for more participation of women in the decision making process of the Church.
Speaking at the 1st Youth synod of his diocese, which ended Sunday in Kaduna, Idowu-Feraon complained at the number of women (girls) delegates at the meeting.
Commenting on the imbalance of gender representation at the opening session of the meeting, 38-8, the Archbishop remarked, ‘I can see that in our diocese there are no girls, there are just boys, and the ratio is very poor.’
“In this diocese we try as much as possible to carry both men and women along. We do not accept this division in the church where women are not given enough roles to play.”
“Because young people are the future church I want to encourage you that when you want representation from the various congregation always insist that the girls are not left behind,” he said.
Fearon explained that the in the diocese in the Kaduna, women were more involved in most of the activities. ‘They create time to see that the work of the gospel is not restricted.’
He cited the Jakaranda project, a multi-million farm project, which the women single handedly revived.
According to him the pottery (Jakarnda project) was completely dead when the church acquired it. The women came and said ‘bishop give it to us’ and at present ‘they have invested over N1 million without taking any loan from the diocese.’
The Archbishop extolled the women for re-organizing the place and making it viable for the diocese.
In his discussion of the theme of the Youth Synod, ‘O Lord in Your Mercy Transform Your Diocese’, Fearon identified the youth, women and politicians, as three fundamental groups that hold sway in the process of transformation.
He argued that transformation is a Christian concept. “It means to look at a situation, and get that situation to its maximum use,” he said and added ‘the implication of this to the church is that both young and old needs transformation.’
“Everyone is born in sin. God formed us. Satan deformed us. And Jesus Christ transforms us. There cannot be any transformation outside Jesus the Christ,” Idowu-Fearon said.
He challenged the youths to try and transform the older people for ‘they are already fixed in their ways.’
Earlier, the Youth Chaplain, The Rev Canon Ben Idume, whose church hosted the 2-day synod, stated that the ideas and recommendations of the youths will engage various discussions of the diocesan synod, which begins next week.
He charged the youths to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the church and affirm their participation in the decision making progress of the diocese.
He stressed the need for the youth to lead the campaign against political violence by maintaining a Christian image during the forthcoming electioneering campaign.
Kaduna, June 23, 2006- Archbishop of Kaduna province and Bishop of Kaduna diocese (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev Josiah Idowu-Fearon has called for more participation of women in the decision making process of the Church.
Speaking at the 1st Youth synod of his diocese, which ended Sunday in Kaduna, Idowu-Feraon complained at the number of women (girls) delegates at the meeting.
Commenting on the imbalance of gender representation at the opening session of the meeting, 38-8, the Archbishop remarked, ‘I can see that in our diocese there are no girls, there are just boys, and the ratio is very poor.’
“In this diocese we try as much as possible to carry both men and women along. We do not accept this division in the church where women are not given enough roles to play.”
“Because young people are the future church I want to encourage you that when you want representation from the various congregation always insist that the girls are not left behind,” he said.
Fearon explained that the in the diocese in the Kaduna, women were more involved in most of the activities. ‘They create time to see that the work of the gospel is not restricted.’
He cited the Jakaranda project, a multi-million farm project, which the women single handedly revived.
According to him the pottery (Jakarnda project) was completely dead when the church acquired it. The women came and said ‘bishop give it to us’ and at present ‘they have invested over N1 million without taking any loan from the diocese.’
The Archbishop extolled the women for re-organizing the place and making it viable for the diocese.
In his discussion of the theme of the Youth Synod, ‘O Lord in Your Mercy Transform Your Diocese’, Fearon identified the youth, women and politicians, as three fundamental groups that hold sway in the process of transformation.
He argued that transformation is a Christian concept. “It means to look at a situation, and get that situation to its maximum use,” he said and added ‘the implication of this to the church is that both young and old needs transformation.’
“Everyone is born in sin. God formed us. Satan deformed us. And Jesus Christ transforms us. There cannot be any transformation outside Jesus the Christ,” Idowu-Fearon said.
He challenged the youths to try and transform the older people for ‘they are already fixed in their ways.’
Earlier, the Youth Chaplain, The Rev Canon Ben Idume, whose church hosted the 2-day synod, stated that the ideas and recommendations of the youths will engage various discussions of the diocesan synod, which begins next week.
He charged the youths to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the church and affirm their participation in the decision making progress of the diocese.
He stressed the need for the youth to lead the campaign against political violence by maintaining a Christian image during the forthcoming electioneering campaign.
