At the meeting in Rimini the president of the Nigerian conference of bishops launched an appeal to the international community
“Put pressure on your governments, do not abandon
us otherwise Nigeria will face destruction.” This appeal was launched by
Mgr. Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop of Jos and President of the Episcopal
Conference of Nigeria.
For months the country has lived in violence which mostly seems directed at the Christian community.
The Archdiocese of Mgr. Kaigama itself came under
attack and the number of victims has already risen to approximately 800
since the beginning of the year.
attack and the number of victims has already risen to approximately 800
since the beginning of the year.
“It is crucial that the international community
react,” he emphasized and “we need to focus our efforts on guaranteeing
Nigerians’ religious freedom.”
react,” he emphasized and “we need to focus our efforts on guaranteeing
Nigerians’ religious freedom.”
Talking to the audience at the Cl meeting which
opened today at the Rimini Fair, the bishop has already become a symbol
of this tragedy and of the Church’s endurance.
opened today at the Rimini Fair, the bishop has already become a symbol
of this tragedy and of the Church’s endurance.
He talked about the everyday life of the Christian
people who especially in the northern part of the country “live in
constant fear because Boko Haram fundamentalists hit innocent targets,
often people attending service. Even at Christmas we suffered attacks
and there were victims.”
people who especially in the northern part of the country “live in
constant fear because Boko Haram fundamentalists hit innocent targets,
often people attending service. Even at Christmas we suffered attacks
and there were victims.”
But he also talked about young Christians in his
diocese who are frustrated and “ask the Church money to buy weapons for
revenge and fight the Muslims. But I tell them I am not a warrior. My
job is to promote peace.”
diocese who are frustrated and “ask the Church money to buy weapons for
revenge and fight the Muslims. But I tell them I am not a warrior. My
job is to promote peace.”
A peace threatened also by the hardships of the
population. The local Church also helps with “water, health services and
other aids. I go around the villages feeling a little like a social
worker while government officials stay in their air conditioned
offices.”
Source: Vatican Insider
”The truth might be hard to say, painful to bear or even drastic for the truth sayer but still needed to be said”. ALISON.
