Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lagos (Fides Service)- “It seems to us that the Nigerian state has once again failed to secure the lives and properties of innocent citizens against the criminally minded in the society,” the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria said in a statement dated February 23 on the riots in Maiduguri (see Fides 21, 22 and 24 February). In the statement sent to “Aid to the Church in Need” the Bishops call for more effort on the part of security forces, they note sadly that “the ordinary Nigerian has lost faith and confidence in the institutions of State and in the ability or willingness of those in authority to pursue justice, to defend the innocent citizen and to apply the Rule of Law at all times without fear or favour. Something convincing has to be done to stop the ominous growing tendency among Nigerians to take recourse in jungle justice”.
“For us in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, the tragic event of February 18 and the aftermath should not be viewed in isolation from other crisis situations that have bogged our nation since 1966. Once again the quality of our corporate existence is being put to the test and our sense of national cohesion is being challenged. It seems clear to us that we still have a long way to go in the task of nation-building as long as crucial issues like citizenship and indigeneship, as well as the freedom of religion in every part of the country remain unresolved. This is why a genuine national forum to resolve these and other thorny issues still remains a national imperative.” “In the meantime, we urge the Federal and State Governments not to allow the present preoccupations of the politics of 2007 distract them from facing adequately the crisis now engulfing the nation” the Bishops say.
They call on Nigeria’s political leaders to take on with greater vigour the task of governance. “There is need to take appropriate steps urgently to allay the fears and assuage the feelings of traumatised citizens in Maiduguri and other affected areas. Particularly, Government should immediately constitute an investigative panel acceptable to all stakeholders to investigate the causes and the authors of this tragedy: direct or indirect, immediate or remote. No murderer or arsonist should be allowed to hide behind any mask of religion, no matter how highly placed.”.
The Bishops confirm their condemnation of attacks on Muslims following violence in Maiduguri: “We have already condemned the reprisal killings in the South, and dissociated the Christian community from the violence”.
“In conclusion, we call upon Christians, especially our long-suffering brothers and sisters in Northern Nigeria to remain faithful to Jesus Christ who is the Prince of Peace. We encourage them to constantly struggle with all constitutional means to assert their rights as free citizens in a democratic Nigeria, who can reside and practice their religion freely anywhere in the country. We therefore urge them to avoid violence as incompatible with our Christian faith and with any authentic religion. Let us never tire of conquering evil with goodness, sowing love wherever there is hatred, and overcoming discord with peace”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 7/3/2006 righe 43 parole 571)
