By Vincent Ujumadu

AWKA—SOME retired Bishops of the Anglican Church yesterday renewed the battle against the continued existence of the age long Osu Caste System in Igbo land, which classified some people as free born and others as not free born.

The clerics at the helm of the battle are   Bishop Raphael Okafor, former Bishop of Ihiala; Bishop Anthony Nkwoka, former Bishop of Niger West, both in Anambra State and Bishop Samuel Chukwuka, former Bishop of   Isiukwuto/Umuneochi.

At a sensitization forum tagged ‘Conference of Coalition on Osu Cast System’, the clerics appealed to leaders of thought and other stakeholders in Igbo land to end the Osu stigma, otherwise they would face the wrath of God.

According to them, it was surprising that the Igbo had not been able to end the obnoxious system 62 years after the defunct Eastern Nigeria enacted a law abrogating the practice throughout Igbo land.

They regretted that even political office holders, particularly the South East   governors, the legislature and traditional institutions, which ought to be in the forefront in the battle against the Osu Caste system, were paying lip service on the issue.

Describing the practice as wicked and retrogressive, the  Bishops vowed not to relent in the struggle to end the act until justice was achieved.

In tones that betrayed their emotions, the Bishops said: “We are worried that generations who know nothing about these cultural and idolatrous practices are today suffering from the stigma, whether their forefathers willingly or unwillingly became Osu.

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

“God will judge and punish the hypocrites concerning this matter. The Bible makes it clear that God will judge and punish those who violate his laws and regulations.

“For a Christian to assign another Christian to an idol as Osu is hypocrisy of the first order.

“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 continues amongst us?”

They said they would mobilize youths, traditional rulers, governmental and nongovernmental bodies to fight against the caste system throughout Igbo communities.