APKMN Slams Lalong Over ‘Unholy’ Comment On Pope Francis

…meets to discuss on actions to take

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The National President of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria, (APKMN) has slammed governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state over his uncheritable comment linking the Holy father to his acceptance of the APC DG campaign position.

The group described the governor’s comments a ‘disappointment and condemnable’ acton and underseving of a Catholic and moreso a Papal Knight.

In a statement by National President, APKMN, Rt. Hon Dame Dr Esther Uduehi on Friday, the body of Knights asked Gov. Lalong to offer apology, while noting that an emergency meeting would be convened to discuss the matter and decision taken accordingly.

“My dear Sir Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau State, I write to you as the National President of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria, (APKMN), to express the disappointment of all Papal Honorees in Nigeria at a statement credited to you which would tend to bring the revered image and person of the Holy Father, the Pope into your Local Politics.

” Your action, to say the least, is not only disappointing but condemnable and not expected of a Catholic and more so of a Papal Knight. The Holy father is a busy man and does not interact with individuals so easily as you will want Nigerians to believe.

” I have been mandated by all Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria who feel betrayed by your Statement to ask you to produce evidence of your claim or refute the statement credited to you.

” An ardent Catholic and a Papal honoree at that, ought to know where and when to apply the break in discussing issues of the Church.

” No true Catholic, no matter his/her position in the society will deliberately politicize the revered name of the Pope for the purpose of a position in a localized political matter of any country.

” The executive of the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria will be meeting to take a decision and make recommendations to CBCN and thereafter to the Papal Nuncio.” the statement added

Recall that the governor was alleged to have said that even the Pope has not opposed his acceptance of the APC position in response to calls by Nigerians for him to reject the appointment based on the Muslim- Muslim ticket of his Party, APC.