Avoid Turning “into ethnic champions”: Catholic Archbishop in Nigeria to Religious Leaders

He emphasized, “We Catholic Priests especially should use our philosophical and theological resources to stand apart or distance ourselves from parochially divisive narratives that strain relationships further.”

In his message, the Local Ordinary of Abuja Archdiocese highlighted some of the issues that stir violence among the people of Taraba State.

“Dear Brothers and Sisters, beware of propaganda stories that stir youths to violence and more violence. Most of our people are Christians yet we hear stories of mutual atrocities,” the Catholic Archbishop said, and added, “The use of social media and exaggerated write-ups in conventional media are a great influence in perpetuating the crises.” 

He continued, “There is a serious inter-religious tension resulting in polarization in the State, which cannot be ignored.”

The 63-year-old Nigerian Archbishop called on the people of God in Taraba State to be involved in the peace process.

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Addressing himself to politicians in Taraba State, he said, “Rise above ethnic interests to fight for the proper development of Taraba State through mechanized agriculture, modernized livestock projects.” 

“We plead with political actors, especially during this sensitive period preparatory to election campaigns, not to promote more hatred and destruction. Promote rather, the common good such as how to increase food production, alleviate poverty and utilize the vast potentials of the state in a peaceful and sensible manner,” the Archbishop of Abuja said. 

He went on to caution ethnic and religious leaders against the tendency to focus on other people’s mistakes and the passing of premature judgements, advocating for “moderate and reconciliatory utterances”. 

The Catholic Archbishop said, “Ethnic or religious leaders must see the log in their eye or the eye of their people before attempting to remove the log out of their brother’s or sister’s eye.”

“We would appreciate moderate and reconciliatory utterances or statements from political leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders and elders who should speak the language of peace instead of war,” Archbishop Kaigama said.  

To all residents of Taraba State, the Archbishop said, “Transcend ethnic myopia/fanaticism and become the voice of reason and harmony.”

“Be a light that shines out. We have to decide to stop the crises, the hostilities, the needless killings and the destruction of means of livelihood. Nobody can do it for us. We can do it for ourselves with the help of God,” he said.

Meanwhile, in his homily on Sunday, March 27, Archbishop Kaigama called on Nigerians to pray for the people of God in Agban Kagoro, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where at least 32 people were killed and 200 houses torched on March 20.  

“Let us pray for Southern Kaduna and those areas in Nigeria where killings, kidnappings, and banditry seem to have become normal phenomena,” he said.

The Archbishop added, “We implore the help of our Blessed Mother to bring these killings and destruction to a rapid and definitive end, so that we can truly rejoice not only today, but always.”

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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.