Stop The Killings Now- Catholic Bishops
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has asked the federal and Kaduna State governments to stop the current spate of killings in Southern Kaduna now.
The CBCN in a statement, titled “INSECURITY IN NIGERIA: STOP THE KILLING Now,” signed by the President and Archbishop of Benin City, Augustine Obiora Akubeze, and addressed to all Catholics and other Nigerians, expressed disgust about the persistent killings, saying Nigerians were tired of the situation. “We are all tired of this situation. We do not want any politician to politicize the killing of Nigerians.
There should be one response from everyone, and that is, the killings must stop. Our hearts are bleeding, and we are more troubled when we hear of the massacre currently going on in Southern Kaduna.
“We want all the people suffering the incessant attacks in Southern Kaduna to know that all Catholics in Nigeria are praying for them. “We call on the Federal Government and the government of Kaduna State to bring a complete stop to the killing of innocent people.
The loss of any Nigerian life does not help to further the agenda of any religious ideology or the ambition of any politician.
“The perpetrators of the killings must be brought to justice. Where there is no justice or justice is not seen to be done, there cannot be peace.
Where there is no peace, there cannot be development. Any government, state, or federal that wants peace must work for justice for everyone.
“There will never be sustained development built upon the bloodshed of innocent people brutally murdered by religious fundamentalists without any recourse to justice for the victims,” the statement read.
The Bishops reminded Nigerians that the present federal government came to power, promising Nigerians the eradication of corruption, a guarantee of security to life and property, and rapid growth in the economy.
The administration, according to the Catholic Bishops, also promised to create jobs and an enabling environment that engenders growth of the private sector; a significant increase in the supply of electricity to Nigerians, affordable and quality health care to Nigerians, and the revamping of the educational sector are the promises the government continues to make.
They said: “Many Nigerians, irrespective of political party affiliation, will affirm that these promises have remained a far cry. We strongly appeal to Nigerians to unite together in calling on the Federal Government to give priority to these areas of our lives.’’
The Bishops appealed to all Catholics to observe a month-long intercessory Prayer….” one Our Father, three Hail Marys, and one Glory Be to the Father every day after the Angelus for 40 days, starting from August 22, 2020, to September 30, 2020, the eve of Nigeria’s Independence Day.
“On Independence Day, let us join in praying the five decades of the sorrowful mysteries, starting from 12.00 noon,” the CBCN stated. The Bishops appealed to each Bishop to encourage the faithful in his diocese to participate fully in this prayer for God to save Nigeria.
“Let us not harbor hatred for anyone. We must be instruments of forgiveness and reconciliation. We must be on the part of justice for all and peace in Nigeria,” they stated.
Ayooluwa Joshua