'The church doesn't want illegal or dirty money,' pontiff tell pilgrims

yinka ogunlami

March 3, 2016 1:17 PM

He added that some people make their money from extorting, exploiting and mistreating people.

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The pontiff explaining from the book of Prophet Isaiah said that God doesn’t like ‘the blood of bulls and lambs’, meaning God does not accept offerings earned in a dirty way, most especially not with the blood of ones brothers.

Read: Biafra activists meet with Holy Father

“Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me…when you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood,” the pontiff cited a verse from the book of Isaiah to the pilgrims.

“I say to these people: please, take back your check, burn it,” he said, adding that the Church “doesn't need dirty money, it needs hearts open to the mercy of God.”

Read: 'I’d rather die in jail than for Ohanaeze to claim glory for my release,’ Nnamdi Kanu says

Pope Francis centered his address on the image offered by Isaiah of God as a father who corrects his children for rejecting him and doing evil, but who is also merciful and welcomes them back when they repent, never disowning them.

Most recently, Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) took their plight to theVaticanto solicit for the intervention of Pope Francis.

yinka ogunlami