AFRICA/NIGERIA - At the end of 2nd plenary assembly Catholic Bishops assure contribution to heal the nation's moral crisis, the root of all evil

Wednesday, 19 September 2007

Lagos (Agenzia Fides)- In a statement issued at the end of their second plenary assembly the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria affirm “We have had the elections, but the wounds inflicted on the Nigerian people and on our nascent democracy remain deep and painful. Our nation needs to be healed ”. While they express satisfaction and thank God for “transition in Nigeria from one civilian rule to another”, at the same time they say the elections were seriously flawed (see Fides 28 April 2007).
The statement sent to Fides entitled “Watch and Pray” is a call to Nigerian Catholics to watch and pray and see the signs of the times. “We need to be vigilant and control our human greed and pride which are at the basis of corruption, conflicts and bad governance ”.
The statement reflects on recent events in Nigeria. The question of democracy is a central point in the reflection offered by the Bishops who confirm their opposition to all forms of corruption in voting and they express cautious hope with regard to the Judiciary: “Recently, we witnessed the remarkable action of the Judiciary in ensuring that justice was dispensed without delay, fear or favour. We ask that the Judiciary continue to play its crucial role, as an independent arm of government, in the development and growth of a more democratic Nigeria.”.
The Bishops say they "acknowledge the government’s "disposition to dialogue and negotiation. Government should always listen to the people and serve their interests. Justice, development and peace will only come when government personnel become servant leaders of their people. In this vein, we commend the ongoing efforts of the government to address the deficiencies in the various sectors of the economy. We pray that these positive developments be sustained. ”.
Among the problems in Nigeria, the Bishops mention the crisis in the Niger Delta which they has "continued to deepen in a gravely alarming manner, especially with the recent outbreak of violence in Rivers State. We urge the government, of both Federal and State levels, to intensify efforts towards resolving the crisis. At the same time, we call upon the various protagonists to lay down their arms and come to the negotiation table” says the Bishops conference, assuring “ solidarity to the people of the Niger Delta on their plight and suffering. At the same time, we wholly denounce hostage-taking which not only violates the dignity of innocent victims, but inhibits the freedom of movement as well as dent the image of our country”.
The Bishops propose diversification in the economy too dependent on oil exports (see Fides 13 November 2006 and 4 September 2007), and improvement of education as the foundations for sustainable development. In this regard they recall the fundamental contribution offered by the Catholic Church with its schools to which will be added in 2008 Veritas University of Abuja, which has just been approved by the Bishops' Conference.
The Bishops conclude renewing their commitment for the spiritual formation of young people and adults to put and end to the contradiction of a “Nigeria, a nation prized as most religious, is often paradoxically rated as one of the most corrupt ”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/9/2007 righe 39 parole 530)


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