A team of clerics in Igboland has called on Igbo people to abolish the Osu stigma or be ready to face the wrath of God.

The Coalition on Osu Caste system headed by three retired Anglican bishops – which include ex-bishops of Ihiala, Niger West and Isuikwuato/Umuneochi dioceses, Raphael Okafor; Anthony Nkwoka and Samuel Chukuka – made the call at a sensitisation conference held on Wednesday in Awka, capital of Anambra State.

The conference observed that the South East governors, legislatures and traditional institutions were handling the issue with kid's glove regretting that despite the abrogation of the practice by an Eastern Nigeria law 62 years ago, the system is still in place.

The bishops expressed worry that generations who were ignorant of the cultural and idolatrous practice were presently suffering the stigma even though their fore fathers may not have willingly become an OSU.

While describing the practice as wicked and retrogressive, the bishops said: “We will not relent in the struggle to end the act until justice is done.

“It is wicked and very unfortunate. Moreover, the Osu caste system is antiquated and had been outlawed since 1956.”

The bishops vowed to mobilise monarchs, governmental and nongovernmental bodies and youths to fight the caste system throughout Igbo areas, adding that God would judge and punish those who had continued the practice up until now.

A statement made available to journalists reads in part: “For a Christian to assign another Christian to an idol as Osu is hypocrisy of the highest order.

“Jesus had an occasion to pronounce eight powerful woes on the scribes and Pharisees who were the religious leaders during his earthly ministry because of hypocrisy

“God will judge and punish hypocrites. The Bible makes it clear that God will judge and punish those who violate His laws and regulations.

“He (Jesus) concluded by saying that as serpents and generation of vipers they could not escape the damnation of hell.

“Is it not absurd, barbaric, retrogressive, hypocritical, shameful, unbelievable and unacceptable that after 160 years of Christianity in Igboland and after over 60 years our parents and grandparents abolished the Osu caste, it still exists amongst us?”

Update news