Freedom Of Misinformation (Big Three Versus Big Four)

To understand the posture of Pope Benedict XVI in matters both political and spiritual, we need to wind the tape back to the events that preceded the Holy Father’s emergence as the successor to the beloved and saintly Pope John Paul II. The election process was as intense as it was convoluted.  It was not a straight forward contest between the traditionalists and the modernists.  Rather, there was a subtle element of  “……anyone but ……….”  Hence, strictly speaking the result was not a triumph for either side; nor was the victor a compromise candidate. The voting and cross voting had become so protracted that what was looming on the horizon was a case of time out !!  Therefore, the smoke signal was quickly summoned and the chimney of the Vatican promptly obliged. As they say, the rest is history. But history is never in a hurry.

That was in 2005. Since then, apart from a few faulty steps at the beginning of his reign, the Pontiff has been firmly in control. He has set the right agenda by anchoring his strategy on a commitment that guarantees wide support from the congregation.

JUSTICE  FOR  THE  POOR

However, his inner circle of advisers were quick to point out the limitations of pious aspiration.  There has to be a political axis to enable (or facilitate) delivery.  Without the political angle, it would just degenerate into an exercise in futility. The challenge for the catholic church is bluntly a case of:  “who will organize the poor?” That is the dilemma the Church (both catholic and non-catholic) has been wrestling with.

Anyway, when it comes to political issues, the Holy Father has been remarkably circumspect and discreet.  However, this did not prevent him from publicly declaring in classical (New Testament) Greek: “Democracy is a precious thing. It must be handled with great sensitivity.”

He effortlessly switched to classical Latin and added an ancient doctrine:

“Solumparendo” [Rulers must learn to rule well].

It is a measure of the Pontiff’s sagacity that he listens very patiently to professional advice which he compliments with his intuitive grasp of complex issues. A case in point is the dexterity with which the Holy Father has been dealing with the outbreak of ethnic violence in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.  Pope Benedict XVI’s strategy is to thread carefully instead of inflaming an already volatile situation. Hence, while earnestly preaching mutual tolerance, understanding and respect between christians and moslems, the Pope has skilfully girded a direct onslaught on moslems.

Rather, the target of the Holy Father’s condemnation have been terrorists and fanatics. This is not to say that there is unanimity even within the Vatican, not to talk of the catholic folk.

By avoiding a Christian versus moslem trap, the Pontiff has been able to garner support from even moslem countries – against the burning of churches.  However, at the end of the day the unresolved issue with Christmas and New Year only a few days away, is it safe for christians to go to church to celebrate even at the risk of machine guns, bombs and kidnapping?

At the same time, the Pontiff has forged a formidable and strategic alliance with the out-going Bishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan William and his successor Bishop Justin Welby. It is this “Big Three” who have taken on the “Big Four” (the four largest accountancy firms – Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC); KPMG; Deloitte; and Ernst and Young) over the critical issue (not fiscal) of moral cliff with the KPMG report which blasted Nigeria as the most fraudulent country in Africa as the reference point.  Is there not a serious moral issue here not to talk of obvious security implications?

It is self-evident that the terrorists have already declared their determination to make this Christmas and the New Year the worst in the history of Africa and Nigeria. There is every possibility that they will capitalize on the KPMG report, which the Nigerian government has not challenged, to unleash terror on corruption without regard to loss of lives. Rather than pursue that line, the Holy Father prefers engaging the “Big Four” with the support of his two trusted allies,  Dr. Rowan Williams and Bishop Justin Welby. Together, they are determined to make this year’s Christmas/New Year the best ever for Christians no matter in which part of the world they choose to spend the festive period.

Pope Benedict XVI is emphatic: Africa matters.

This does not in anyway diminish or detract from the Holy Father’s duties and responsibilities to the entire catholic folk in Asia; America; Africa; Europe; Australia and Antarctica.

When the Holy Father spoke to the “senior elders” from Nigeria, his message was clear: “You must have faith and be steadfast. However, you must also be vigilant.”

The rest of the Pontiff’s message was in classical New Testament Greek and I did my best to translate it for the benefit of the others. I must admit that my Greek is somewhat rusty.  However, the essence of Pope Benedict XVI’s message was that Nigeria has been on the Vatican’s watchlist for a very long time even going back to the Nigerian Civil War (1967 to 1970) when the Vatican was one of the first to recognize Biafra as a sovereign state – in the belief that the moslem North was on a mission of genocide against the Christian South. This was not entirely correct. Regardless, several predominantly catholic countries e.g. Spain; Portugal; France; Italy; Belgium etc. took their cue from the Vatican and quickly recognized Biafra.

For historians, there is a trove of documents under seal in the Vatican.  Also, under seal is the transcript of the discussions between Pope John Paul II (who visited Nigeria in 1998) and the Military Head of State of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha who was apparently determined to eliminate all those (General Olusegun Obasanjo; General Musa Yar’Adua; Chief M.K.O. Abiola, General Oladipo Diya) etc) he had convicted for coup plotting and/or treason.

The Vatican would not go beyond admitting that the Holy Father did indeed plead with General SanniAbacha:  “Do not destroy what you cannot create.”

Their meeting went so well that General Abacha, a moslem, spontaneously requested the Pontiff to pray for him and his family. What is not in dispute is that Cardinal Francis Arinze who is now retired was at that time the Director of Inter-Religious Relationships at the Vatican while the Bishop of Abuja who played host to the Pope was none other than Archbishop John Onaiyekan who was recently elevated to the rank of Cardinal.

Anyway, Pope Benedict is far more anguished about what is now happening in Nigeria where kidnapping has become the order of the day combined with bombs exploding night and day in churches. The carnage has been appalling and the number of victims grows by the day. Are we to declare a period of mourning for the dead and wounded? But when? Over Christmas and/or the New Year?

It was the catechist who declared:

“Hail Mary, full of grace.

Our Lord is with thee

Blessed art thou among women

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God

Pray for us sinners

Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

Then the Holy Father switched to classical Latin and I had great difficulty coping but he appeared to say that Nigeria needs to retrace its steps to where we were before all this trouble started; where we are now; and where we want to go in the future.

Another dimension was introduced by the Pontiff when he sought to educate the Chartered Accountants who were protesting against the “Big Four” in St. Peter’s Square: on the need to separate the Body from the Soul and the Spirit. I hope I got it right, the Body belongs to mother earth after death; the Soul belongs to God and as for the Spirit that is the property of eternity. The protesters were determined to perish unless their demands are met – the “Big Four” cannot hijack 99 percent of the business and concede only 1 percent to the rest.  Also, there is the matter of unpaid gratuity and pension which (when paid) would go a long way to keep body, soul and spirit in harmony.

The Pontiff literally glows when he preaches about love and hope. I suspect it was my error in translation that led me to believe that even the Holy Father was exasperated:

“All over Africa corruption is a serious issue.  The politicians steal everything.  They even steal hope.”

Pope Benedict remains undaunted. His challenge to the “Big Four” is not the eradication of polio, malaria or water borne diseases in Africa. Next year, the Holy Father will launch a huge campaign for “THE ERADICATION OF MALICE.”

It offers the “Big Four” a chance to redeem themselves and rekindle hope for the rest of humanity.

I am reminded of that masterpiece by Leonardo Da Vinci: “Salvatore Mundi”  (“Saviour Of The World”). Somebody has to save the body, soul and spirit of chartered accountants.

The Holy Father is, in addition to being a spiritual leader, a great thinker. He jolted us by postulating that by 2030, China will become the largest economy in the world – but how many of the Chinese would be Catholics ?

The Dalai Lama says he knows the answer.

On Monday 17th December 2012 a Thanksgiving Service will hold at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos in memory of Chief J.K. Randle MBE; MVO, [Lisa of Lagos] who died aged 47 years on 17th December 1956 shortly after returning from the Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia where he was the Chef-de-Mission of the Nigeria team.  The Government has seized his property at Alausa, Ikeja where it has built its Secretariat. Shell Club at Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos which also belonged to him has similarly been grabbed by a government official. His estate has been plundered by government. The list is endless. Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Sports Ground was his property which he rented out to NPA. Like magic, NPA is now the owner by government fiat!!

Even the J.K. Randle Swimming Pool at Onikan, Lagos has been blacked out and converted into a Fire Brigade centre!   JK Randle Memorial Hall at Onikan, Lagos is in need of urgent repairs but the government will not grant approval. The list is endless. Is this genocide or what?

Merry Christmas and all good wishes for the New Year.  But remember to wait for the signal from the Holy Father after his Special Envoy has delivered the message to the Nigerian Government.

•Bashorun J.K. Randle, OFR, FCA is, Chairman & Chief Executive JK Randle Professional Services Chartered Accountants “X KPMG HOUSE”  1, King Ologunkutere Street, Park View, Ikoyi (opposite Astoria Hotel) E-mail: [email protected]