LAGOS, Nigeria, 1 October 2026: Nollywood actress and filmmaker Mary Njoku has urged Christian leaders and public figures to accept legitimate criticism with grace, arguing that scripture should not be used to shield people from accountability for their public words and actions.
Mary Njoku shared the message on Instagram while reflecting on the frequently cited biblical phrase, “touch not my anointed”, which she said is sometimes invoked when religious figures face public scrutiny.
The actress argued that criticism should be distinguished from deliberate falsehoods or malicious attacks.
According to Mary Njoku, when members of the public accurately report something a person has said or done, the appropriate response should be accountability rather than an appeal to scripture to discourage further discussion.
“When someone gives an accurate account of what you said or did publicly, and it’s causing you harm. Brethren, the problem isn’t the storyteller. The problem is what you said or did,” she wrote.
Mary Njoku encouraged people facing criticism to examine their conduct, acknowledge mistakes and offer an explanation where necessary.
“Take responsibility for it. Own your words. Own your actions. Reflect on them, apologise if necessary, explain yourself if there is context, and move on,” she added.
Her comments draw a distinction between legitimate accountability and what she described as deliberately harmful conduct.
Mary Njoku said the biblical warning should not be treated as a blanket protection against criticism when a public figure’s own words or actions have generated the controversy.
“Touch not my anointed applies when someone falsely accuses you, lies against you, or deliberately tries to harm you,” she wrote.
The actress also warned against what she described as the weaponisation of scripture against truth.
“Weaponising scripture against the truth can backfire,” she said.
Her intervention comes amid wider public conversations in Nigeria about the influence of religious leaders, accountability and the responsibilities that accompany public platforms.
Religious figures often command large audiences through churches, television, social media and other platforms, making their public statements subject to considerable attention and debate.
Mary Njoku also emphasised that religious leaders remain human despite their positions of authority.
“Nobody is perfect. After all, men of God are still human. They aren’t above making mistakes or being held accountable,” she wrote.
She called for a balance between accountability and compassion, saying religious leaders should receive the same opportunity for grace and understanding that they expect from others.
“They deserve grace and understanding, just like everyone else,” Mary Njoku added.
The actress concluded by encouraging people to be more forgiving of themselves and others while still accepting responsibility when their actions warrant scrutiny.
“Cut yourself some slack, take responsibility when necessary, and allow others the same grace you would want for yourself,” she wrote.
Mary Njoku’s remarks do not target a specific religious leader in the statement provided, but instead address what she sees as a broader attitude towards criticism and accountability within religious spaces.
Her message places responsibility and grace alongside each other, suggesting that accepting criticism does not have to undermine faith or religious authority.
