By Taraba News
Rev. Dr. Eunice Iliya has appealed to members of the Mumuye community in the Southern, Southwestern and Central parts of Taraba State to forgive her over past decisions she said were made in obedience to the principles and regulations of the church.
The appeal came against the backdrop of the ongoing bishop nomination exercise, during which Iliya faced significant opposition in parts of Southern, Southwestern and Central Taraba.
In a message addressed to her people, the clergywoman recalled her decision in 2012 to support the leadership of former Bishop Johnwesley Yohanna, despite opposition from some members of the Mumuye community to his emergence as bishop.
Iliya explained that her support for Yohanna was not an indication that she had rejected her tribe or chosen another ethnic group over her own people.
According to her, she acted in accordance with her understanding of the Christian scriptures, the church’s Book of Discipline and the directives of the College of Bishops (COB).
She said that during her ordination, she vowed to obey the Book of Discipline and support any bishop assigned to oversee her ministerial responsibilities.
Iliya said her decision was, however, interpreted by some members of her community as a rejection of the Mumuye people and a decision to identify with another ethnic group.
She acknowledged that the issue had affected her relationship with members of her community over the years, particularly throughout the tenure of the former bishop.
The clergywoman also addressed the Wurkun and other ethnic groups across the river, explaining that her support for the former bishop was never intended to diminish the importance of her people or suggest that another tribe was more important than hers.
She said her actions were motivated by what she described as obedience to the scriptures, church discipline and her commitment to her Christian faith.
Reflecting on the recent bishop nomination exercise, Iliya said she had received the messages of rejection directed at her by members of the Mumuye community and was appealing for forgiveness.
She urged her Mumuye people to forgive her, saying she could not change the decisions she had made in the past but had learned from the experience.
“I cannot change what I did or my race. Know that I have learned my lesson the hard way,” she said.
Iliya expressed gratitude to God for giving her the opportunity to remain alive and seek reconciliation, adding that she was praying for the courage to face the lessons arising from the experience.
She also expressed appreciation to the United Methodist Church (UMC) for its role in shaping her life, leadership and ministry.
She described the church as a major part of her life and said she would remain grateful for the love and acceptance she had received from the institution.
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