Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Urges Muslims, Christians to Reflect on Peace on “Eid al-Adha”

The Local Ordinary of Oyo Diocese who doubles as the President of the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) goes on to commiserate with Muslims who were impeded from going for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

"We feel for those who missed the obligation of going to Hajj due to Covid-19 pandemic, and we pray that next year will be better. Amen,” Bishop Badejo says.

This year, the Saudi government limited the number of pilgrims to only 60,000 nationals and residents of the Kingdom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In his message, the Nigerian Bishop goes on to express gratitude to God for the unity among Muslims and Christians in Oyo Diocese. 

"We thank God for all that we have been able to achieve together in Oyo diocese and Oyo State," he says, and adds, "We also pray for more peace and progress in the years ahead." 

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The Nigerian Bishop who turned 60 last week, on July 13, also expresses his willingness to continue collaborating with the Muslim fraternity in matters of common interest saying, "As always, we are open to programs of mutual enrichment and dialogue of peaceful coexistence with you all."

"On behalf of the entire Catholic Diocese of Oyo, may I congratulate you, dear Muslim brothers and sisters as you celebrate another holy feast of sacrifice, Eid el Kabir," Badejo Badejo says in the message he co-signed with the Director of Inter-religious dialogue in Oyo Diocese, Fr. Joseph Ogundipe.

He adds, "May we live to celebrate more of this and may every one of us, Muslim and Christian alike continue to uphold our obedience to Allah in the spirit of forgiveness and true love for one another. Amen."

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.