The Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama, has said the several attacks on the Catholic Church in Nigeria since 2012, bomb blasts, killings and several kidnappings, would not deter Catholic faithful or Christians in general from worshipping God or speaking the truth.
In a Homily delivered at St. Augustine’s parish on Sunday in Dutse-Sangbagyi, he noted that the refusal of the church to retaliate the various killings of Christians and attacks on the Church must not be perceived as cowardice.
He said: “Following last Sunday’s unprovoked attack and killings of worshippers at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, one is tempted to ask if the motive was a deliberate attempt to scare us away from worshipping God our way. If that was the aim, my beloved parishioners, I am here to encourage you to remain steadfast in faith and to continue to gather like this in worship irrespective of the series of unprovoked attacks and killings we have suffered over the years.
“As is common knowledge, some other prominent religious leaders and other Nigerians have suffered a similar fate, yet, very little has been done to identify the culprits or to take solid proactive measures to stop the next attack.
“If these persistent attacks on the Catholic Church by those who kill and believe they are offering an excellent service to God (cf. Jn. 16:2) are meant to scare us not to worship again or to speak out in favour of justice, it should be clear that nothing will stop us worshipping God and speaking the truth.
“Many wonder why the concentration of attacks on the Catholic Church, knowing that the Catholic Church is in the forefront of interreligious dialogue, and is famous for its social services, educational and medical work, etc.
“The relevant government authorities may be unable or unwilling to unmask the unknown gunmen who have earned the diabolic distinction of murdering innocent people without qualms, but God knows about it.
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“That God has not punished them instantly does not mean He does not know who they are or where they are. We, on our part refuse to retaliate not because we are cowards or we don’t know how to use destructive weapons; but because we see the evil attackers as children of God in need of salvation.
“It is not conceivable that without provocation, defenseless people worshipping their God on a Pentecost Sunday, not wielding guns other than the weapon of prayer could be gunned down.
“It is more disheartening that there are no immediate verifiable security evidence of who the attackers are and this continues to happen, with increasing frequency to the extent that people are no longer able to feel safe in places of worship, at home, on the streets, in the farms, at markets and schools; yet, all that our leaders care about now is guaranteeing their political future, and oblivious of the rude happenings, they go on to spend incredible amounts in both local and foreign currencies to get elected!”
On this year’s Democracy day celebration, the cleric raised concerns over the rising corruption, money politics, harsh economy, the escalating poverty and hunger currently grappling the masses.
“We should be joyfully celebrating democracy Day today, 12th June, but how can we when corruption seems to be institutionalized in a manner that it is okay to spend humongous amounts of money to influence voters and still believe that if such people are elected to political power they will provide transparent governance with honest economic policies.
“How do we celebrate in the midst of escalating prices of essential commodities, hunger and unemployment? How do we celebrate democracy when yet-to-be-identified gunmen pose such a grievous setback in our march towards harmonious and peaceful co-existence? How do we celebrate when corrupt governance and insecurity threaten the present and future of Nigerians?
“The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity should inspire us to respect our individuality; to be bonded in love and communion through reciprocal self-giving, holding nothing back.
“Unfortunately, our country seems to be driven by ideologies and interests that only favour a given few. We pray that someday, we may truly become one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity, when Christians, Muslims and Traditional religious worshippers will come together to unmask marauders living among us, now emboldened by the poor action of government and the relevant security agencies,” Kaigama,” Kaigama said.
