Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - “We condemn violence on whatever excuse or disguise, and from whatever direction. We condemn it, above all, when its perpetrators blasphemously and fraudulently claim religious justifications,” say the Bishops of Nigeria in one of the statements made at the end of their Second Plenary Meeting held in Kafanchan, Kaduna September 7-12, on the theme: “Conversion for Justice and Reconciliation.” In the document, which was sent to Agenzia Fides, the Bishops recalled that “the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of religion of every Nigerian citizen. But some Nigerians misunderstand their right to religion as right to persecute other Nigerians of different religious persuasion. The right to propagate one religion must not be exercised in ways that violate the right of people of other religions. We deplore the use and abuse of religion to trample on the rights of others.”
The document continues: “A culture of violence prevails in our country. We see this in armed robbery, ritual killing, dangerous driving on our roads, killing in the name of religion, to name but these. It is in this regard that we express grave concern over recent happenings in some parts of the north. We deeply regret and strongly condemn the loss of life and property caused by the religious sect, Boko Haram. We offer our deepest condolences to all the bereaved, and our sympathy to all those who have suffered grave material losses, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation. We pray for God’s mercy on all the dead.” In August, northern Nigeria witnessed serious fighting between police and members of the Boko Haram sect, which especially protests educational influences of the Western World. There were over 2,000 victims, many of which were killed for their religion.
The Bishops criticize the indifference of the governmental authorities, who although they have the necessary information, did not intervene in time to stop the extremists. “We note with sadness and disappointment that despite fore-knowledge of existence and plans of the Boko Haram sect, and despite reports made to appropriate authorities, inaction of government allowed the sect to destroy more than 2000 lives before the insurrection was brought down. We have no democracy worth the name if government cannot protect life and property of the citizen.”
The Bishops, however, commended the Nigerian government for their general amnesty granted to the rebels of the Niger Delta (rich in petroleum), exhorting them to “continue on the path of drastically improving the quality of life of the people of the Niger Delta. It is not enough to wave an olive branch. The situation in the Niger Delta is deeply rooted in injustice. It is simply unjust to impoverish the people who live on the land that produces the bulk of Nigeria’s wealth. We urge government to fulfill its promise on the development of the people of the Niger Delta.” Among the evils condemned by the Bishops was the corruption which is widespread and present on every level of society. “At the root of our distress is the absence of right relationship between us and God, and the absence of right relationship amongst ourselves. Our seemingly incurable social ills are symptoms of a deeper and more chronic sickness, namely, sin. Sin has made us into a nation of sick and wounded people,” the Bishops write.
“Without strength from above there can be no genuine conversion. We therefore commend our country into the hands of God. And we pray, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Nigeria, and of St John Vianney, agent and example of conversion, that Nigerians be granted the grace to cooperate with God in solidarity with one another to transform our nation,” the message concludes. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 17/9/2009)
