Bishop Dr Stephen Fagbemi of Owo Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), speaks with Rita Okonoboh on his experience in the past year as bishop, his assessment of Ekiti’s election and what the process foretells for the 2019 elections and why Nigerians need to speak out more on happenings in the polity.
July 30 makes it one year since you were consecrated as bishop. What has the experience been like?
We thank God for everything. It took a few months before I was formally enthroned in Owo in November. We recognise that the election as bishop is by the grace of God. This past year, I have been going about, mindful of the fact that it is God’s grace and also being mindful of the fact that the office is not a position to be abused, but one to glorify God. We have been able to bring people to serve God in our diocese. It has been interesting and there have been challenges. However, for everything, we are grateful to God.
You were in Abuja, before moving to Owo. How would you say the environment has had an impact on your ministry?
Abuja and Owo are two different environments, and what we do is to understand and work within the context of the environment. Coming here is a call to service and we have been working well with the people here. We have many members, who also contribute to moving the diocese forward, who are from here, but not based here.
How would you describe the reception of the Owo people to your coming?
It was very warm. The people are excited at the prospect of working with a new bishop and looking at how to move the diocese forward. Members outside the diocese have also expressed openness to working with us to move the diocese forward.
What are some of the achievements you made in the past year, and what plans do you have for the future?
On arrival, the Bishop’s Court needed complete overhauling, including the entire roof, and that took time and the building was rededicated on June 2. We are really grateful to God and the people for the efforts to ensure that the task was completed. We have also worked on a modern office complex, which is needed for the work of the diocese. We are very committed to reaching out to people, to share with them the message of Christ, which is a key part of our vision. We meet with the sick, poor and the needy, because we believe that every soul is important to God. Part of our desire is to minister to the people so that they can enjoy the love of God.
You wrote the book, Celebrating the Anglican Heritage. What is it about?
Basically, the book is about the Anglican Church and how our doctrine has impacted our worship, doctrine and tradition. We want to call people back to the Anglican Communion. We have found out that sometimes, people just borrow religious doctrines, that sometimes don’t have biblical foundations, and this book is challenging Anglicans to come back to their heritage and celebrate it. So, the book actually explains why we do what we do and raises questions about some of the strange practices that are creeping into the Christian fold. It is also aimed at offering ministry with integrity. Rather than simply copy what others are doing, we should do ministry in a faithful way, with integrity, in a way that honours God, according to scripture, as represented in the Anglican tradition.
Activities for the diocesan synod
The theme of the forthcoming synod is: Dare to Be A Caleb. This synod challenges believers and members of the diocese to stand up when it matters, as Caleb in the Bible. They should exercise their faith in God Who is able to take them to the promised land. It will take place between August 2nd and August 5, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Anglican Church, Ijebu-Owo. Bishop Akinpelu Johnson of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland will preach at the opening service on Thursday; Dean of All Saints Cathedral, Osogbo, Osun State, Venerable Gbenro Fabuluje will coordinate the Bible Study, while Bishop Emmanuel Adekola of Igbomina Diocese will preach at the closing service on August 5, 2018.
At the Ekiti election, there were allegations of vote buying, ballot box snatching and intimidation of voters. When you consider this and the expectations for 2019, are you confident that the general election will be free and fair?
I think the synod theme: Dare to Be A Caleb, is apt as a foundation for the integrity of the 2019 election process and for people to speak out what is positive. When one looks at it on the human level, when one considers the Ekiti election, there are reasons to doubt if the stakeholders can deliver and there is worry on the state of the country and what 2019 will bring. It portends to be a difficult time, but we are confident that God is there for us and He will help us to navigate through and lift us out of these challenges. We are praying that despite the present challenges, God will see us through the 2019 elections.
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