Governor Simon Lalong Of Plateau State Apology To The Head Of The Catholic Church In Nigeria, Over His Pope Comment.

The Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has tendered an unreserved letter of apology to the head of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, over his Pope comment.

The Governor’s mandate to promote the presidential bid of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima has been criticised by many, particularly Christian leaders in the North because of the same faith tickets.

Mr Lalong during an interview at the State House, shortly after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, claimed that the Pope did not complain about his appointment.

He added that as a Catholic he had one of the highest awards “Knight of Saint Gregory the Great” from the Pope.

This statement did not go down well with some members of the Catholic Church, they felt that the governor caused the head of the Catholic Church global embarrassment with his ‘unguarded’ remarks.

They held a press conference in Abuja and asked Mr Lalong to tender an unreserved apology for dragging the Pope into local politics.

The governor said he has realised that he erred by making reference to the Pope during the interview.

He, therefore, apologised for and asked for the understanding and forgiveness from the Catholic Church.

“I now realise that this was an error on my part and has caused some level of concern and even embarrassment to many especially the Members of the family of Papal Knights to which I belong. I now understand that I may have overreached myself in the course of trying to defend my personal decision in accepting this appointment and thus, the reference to the holy father was not intended as an act of disrespect to his exalted and revered office.

“Your Grace, by this written letter, I wish to tender my unreserved apologies and ask for their understanding and forgiveness from my brothers in the Catholic faith and, through you, the entire members of the Bishops’ Conference, our Fathers and our Leaders. My commitment to the Catholic faith to which | belong remains unreserved and undiluted. I will continue to uphold the banner of my faith in public life as I have done over the years,” Mr Lalong said.

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