From Msurshima Andrew, Makurdi
The Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN), Makurdi Diocese has condemned the wrong use of clerical robes by the students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka university, Makurdi, also known as University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM).
The Chairman of CAMPAN, Makurdi Diocese, Hembadoon Orsar, made this condemnation in a statement she signed and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Saturday.
She stated that use of clerical robes or any costume for purposes of drama should exactly depict the essence of the original text of such a material.
“That is why the Nigerian Film industry censors all films before they are released for public consumption. If the Film Industry meticulously censors all works to remove negative intents before use, it becomes very condemnable for a University that should ordinarily be a citadel of learning to allow its students to engage in negative vices and release an uncensored product to the public.
“This action sadly represents an attack on the Catholic Church and a mockery of the peoples’ faith.
“This action shows gross disrespect to the Catholic Faith and everything that it holds dear. It is a mockery of our revered Reverend Sisters who are perpetually decent and modest in their dressing and covered despite their outstanding physical beauty for the sake of glorifying God.”
Orsar argued that “If the students had desired to use their costume in good faith, they should have done it so properly to depict what they represent because in the history of the church, no Nun goes with a dress above her knees.
“This action is seen by CAMPAN as a deliberate effort to insult the Catholic Church. CAMPAN is an association of Media Professionals from different medium; local national and international within the diocese saddled with the responsibility of communicating Christ in their reportage and protecting the image of the Church.
The statement read, “While it is a free world, your freedom ends where another persons own starts, thereby creating a thin line between yours and that of another, one must be careful not to cross the line. It is disheartening that the university seem to have failed in their responsibility to teach its students the fragility and consequences that accompanies issues of religion which has led to brazen disrespect with the Catholic Church as its first victim.
“We agree that as communication scholars and practitioners, the law of indecency and obscenity is not universal but it is good to note that good character upbringing should teach us never to go beyond the acceptable limits in whatever circumstance.
“The Joseph Sarwuan Tarka university, Makurdi should call its students to order and immediately put a halt to what they have started to serve as deterrent to others who might be tempted to do same with anyone else’s beliefs. Except the University is telling the world that they have changed the general requirement for award of Degrees based on character and learning but Character assassination.”
