VATICAN
CITY, OCT. 19, 2012 . – Here is the intervention of Archbishop John
Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria. The address was given at the
Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the
Faith.
* * * Excerpts.
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| Photo Courtesy of Ankwara.com, 23 Oct. 2009 |
First
of all, I wish to thank very sincerely the Holy Father and this august
assembly for the concern about and prayers for our country Nigeria, so
often in the news about religious and social clashes with considerable
loss of lives and property. We continue to count on your prayers for us.
of all, I wish to thank very sincerely the Holy Father and this august
assembly for the concern about and prayers for our country Nigeria, so
often in the news about religious and social clashes with considerable
loss of lives and property. We continue to count on your prayers for us.
Despite
the impression often given by the world media, I want to stress that
Christians in Nigeria do not see themselves as being under any massive
persecution by Muslims. Our population of about 160 million is made up
of Christians and Muslims in equal number and influence. We have not
done too badly in living peacefully together in the same nation. We
believe we have learnt some lessons which may be useful for the rest of
the world on Christian-Muslim relations.
the impression often given by the world media, I want to stress that
Christians in Nigeria do not see themselves as being under any massive
persecution by Muslims. Our population of about 160 million is made up
of Christians and Muslims in equal number and influence. We have not
done too badly in living peacefully together in the same nation. We
believe we have learnt some lessons which may be useful for the rest of
the world on Christian-Muslim relations.
In
this regard, I wish to draw the attention of this synod to the following
points:a) The irreversible process of “globalization” mentioned in the
IL 47 means that our New Evangelization will need to take note of the
arrival of Islam on the world stage. Since our two religions now embrace
a major portion of humanity, we have a shared responsibility to work
for peace and harmony with ourselves and in our world of today.
this regard, I wish to draw the attention of this synod to the following
points:a) The irreversible process of “globalization” mentioned in the
IL 47 means that our New Evangelization will need to take note of the
arrival of Islam on the world stage. Since our two religions now embrace
a major portion of humanity, we have a shared responsibility to work
for peace and harmony with ourselves and in our world of today.
b)
The differences between Islam and Christianity are not negligible. But
there are also broad areas of common grounds about which Vat. II in
Nostrae Aetate 3, reminds us. The new evangelization will entail working
together for the promotion of commonly shared values, in a world that
is very much in need of such values.
The differences between Islam and Christianity are not negligible. But
there are also broad areas of common grounds about which Vat. II in
Nostrae Aetate 3, reminds us. The new evangelization will entail working
together for the promotion of commonly shared values, in a world that
is very much in need of such values.
c) Our two religions claim to have a divine mission to embrace all humanity.
As
we find ourselves in the same “global village”, we have to find ways of
reconciling our sense of world mission with our God-given duty to live
in peace with our fellow human beings. We must continue to insist on
freedom of conscience as a fundamental human right of every citizen of
every nation.
As
we find ourselves in the same “global village”, we have to find ways of
reconciling our sense of world mission with our God-given duty to live
in peace with our fellow human beings. We must continue to insist on
freedom of conscience as a fundamental human right of every citizen of
every nation.
d) Our Nigerian experience teaches us that there are many kinds of Muslims.
In
the new evangelization, we need to know our Muslim neighbours and keep
an open mind to those who are friendly, and they are in the majority. We
have to work together to make sure that the fanatics do not dictate the
agenda of our mutual relations, pushing us to be enemies of one
another.
In
the new evangelization, we need to know our Muslim neighbours and keep
an open mind to those who are friendly, and they are in the majority. We
have to work together to make sure that the fanatics do not dictate the
agenda of our mutual relations, pushing us to be enemies of one
another.
e) There is an ecumenical dimension
to interfaith relations. Drawing from the solid principles of our
magisterium, we must try to forge a common approach in dealing with our
Muslim counterparts. Most of our problems are caused by the reckless
utterances and activities of extremist fringe groups on both sides of
the divide.
to interfaith relations. Drawing from the solid principles of our
magisterium, we must try to forge a common approach in dealing with our
Muslim counterparts. Most of our problems are caused by the reckless
utterances and activities of extremist fringe groups on both sides of
the divide.
”The truth might be hard to say, painful to bear or even drastic for the truth sayer but still needed to be said”. ALISON.
