By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Christian Association of Nigeria has warned that military action against the military junta in Niger may worsen living conditions in Nigeria.
The alarm was raised by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh at the Second plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria in Abuja.
The CAN President represented by Apostle Prof. Samson Fatokun, the General Secretary said the living conditions of average Nigerian families today are better imagined than experienced.
“This plenary session is coming at a time when Nigerians are still going through excruciating pains arising from harsh economic policies, recklessness of past governments, banditry and kidnapping. Prices of basic necessities have skyrocketed beyond the reach of ordinary people, and there appears not to be any respite in sight.
He said “In addition, the new wave of military coups among our close neighbours and calls from certain quarters for military action against the coupists raise fears that living conditions may worsen in our country if that option is eventually taken by the Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of Government. It is indeed a time to worry!
He commiserated with the Catholic Church over the burning of a Church and the killing of a seminarian in Kafanchan Diocese, Kaduna State recently.
“This ugly incident is again a reminder that our nation is yet to win the war over insecurity and banditry. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and the family of the deceased.
Opening the plenary, outgoing Apostolic Nuncio in Nigeria, Archbishop Antonio Guido filipazzi lamented the barbaric murder of a seminarian of Kafanchan Diocese.
“It is just one of the latest crimes committed in Nigeria against people of all ethnicities, religions and social classes. As the Nigerian Bishops have repeatedly stated, the civil authorities have the primary duty to protect the life and property of every citizen without distinction.
He expressed concerns about the future of the Church in Nigeria.
“Listening to everyone, I have tried to understand as much as possible of the social and Ecclesiastes reality of Nigeria, so grand and complex, and, in the light of the perennial truths of the faith and the discipline of the universal Church, I have tried precisely to recommend that attention be paid to certain aspects to be corrected or certain tendencies to be avoided.
“I would say that while I leave Nigeria indeed more enriched, I cannot hide my impression that I leave Nigeria with greater problems and difficulties than I found six years ago. Nor am I forgetting some existing issues within the Church, which must neither be underestimated nor set aside without an adequate response. There is much work to be done, and I hope this C.B.C.N. Assembly will offer valuable contributions to the life of the Church and society in Nigeria.
In his homily at the opening mass, Archbishop I. A. Kaigama, taking his reading from Ezekiel 33:7-9; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20 spoke on the topic “Mending strained relationships through dialogue and forgiveness”
He urged Nigerians to reach out across ethnic, political, and religious lines to bridge the gaps that have been created; to heal wounds and to reconcile differences.
He called on Nigerians to face the real problems that confront us and stop firing religious missiles, using religion as a weapon of violence, or even taking life at the slightest provocation.
“Those religious leaders who make inflammatory statements in videos
on social media should be cautioned by the appropriate authorities. Our Christian
and Islamic bodies rather than engaging in offensive or defensive rhetorics or
threats should always preach the need for holiness, peaceful coexistence,
compassion, good neighbourliness, rather than encouraging the use of verbal or
physical violence.”
