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Brief History about CAN
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is the largest Ecumenical Body ever established in Nigeria and in deed Africa.
ORIGIN
Church Leaders arrived at a monumental decision that they should form an organization which would provide a forum where they could regularly meet together and take joint actions on vital matters, especially on issues which affect the Christian Faith and the welfare of the generality of Nigerians. That was the origin and the beginning of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
CAN was registered under the perpetual succession Act Cap 98 of Federal Republic of Nigeria (now CAC) in Lagos on 19 December 1986 with Rev. Fr. Anthony Okogie, Pastor J.G. Sakpo, Charles Williams, Rev. Mgr. John Ogbonna and Clifford Mobolaji Smith as the trustees.
The first constitution was signed on 20th April 1977 the founding fathers with:
Catholic (CSN)- FORMER MEMBERS
* His Eminence Cardinal Ekandem (late) who was the first President of CAN 1976 – 1986
* His Grace Archbishop Francis Arinze
* His Grace Cardinal Anthony Okogie – second President 1988 – 1995
* Rt. Rev. John A. Ogbonna
Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) represented by:
* Rt. Rev. Festus O. Segun
* Rt. Rev. Rogers O. Uwadi
* Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Adegbite – first Gen. Secretary CAN 1976 – 1988
* Mr. Charles O. William – Second Gen. Sec. CAN 1988 – 2002
Others were represented by
* Pastor I. C. Sakpo (Apostolic Church)
* Rev. E.A Atilade (Gospel Baptist Church)
The 3rd president was Prelate S. Mbang – 1994 – 2003
The 4th President was Primate J.P Akinola – 2003 – 2007
“the Catholics, one of the association’s most influential blocs, said it was temporarily exiting, over some recent attitudes, utterances and actions of the national leadership of CAN which in our opinion negate the concept of the foundation of the association and the desire of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
In summary, CAN was formed in 1976 by five Christian blocs in the country: the Christian Council of Nigeria; the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria; Organisation of African Instituted Churches, and the Evangelical Fellowship of West Africa.
But in a letter to Mr. Oritsejafor in September but made public Wednesday, the Catholics, one of the association’s most influential blocs, said it was temporarily exiting “over some recent attitudes, utterances and actions of the national leadership of CAN which in our opinion negate the concept of the foundation of the association and the desire of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
CAN is an Association of Christian Churches with distinct identities, recognizable Church structures and system of worship of one God in the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Association makes Christ the centre of all its works and shall promote the glory of God, by encouraging the growth and unity of the Churches and helping them to lead the nation and her people to partake of Christ Salvation and all its fruits. the motto is – that they all may be one – John 17: 21.
Objectives of the Association are:
* To serve as a basis of response to the unity of the church especially as conatined in our Lord’s pastoral prayer that they all may be one – John 17 : 21.
* To promote understanding, peace and unity among the various people and strata of society in Nigeria through the propagation of the gospel.
* To act as a liaison committee by means of which its member – Churches can consult together and when necessary make common Statement and take common actions.
* To act as watch person of the Spiritual and moral welfare of the Nation.
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