Through the resurrection, Bishop Badejo continues, “God shows his power to deliver and to save humanity. Those who continue to block and seal the tomb in order to prevent the resurrection of reconciliation, peace, love, justice and harmony must change or be defeated.”
Those who continue to “seal the tomb”, he says, “are the reason for all the war, the suffering, the destruction and oppression which we see all around. Jesus brings assurance of final victory that the reign of falsehood, oppression, injustice and sin will not endure.”
The 60-year-old Nigerian Bishop who has been at the helm of Oyo Diocese since November 2009 further says, “All of us must spread the news that Jesus is alive. Let everybody else feel the joy of Easter.”
“All troubled, warring families, groups, communities and nations, for God’s sake, be reconciled with one another, drop your weapons,” he says.
Citing Pope Francis, the Nigerian Bishop implores, “Let us disarm all hands of brothers raised against brothers. There is a better way to live than that of violence, bloodshed; be at peace with everyone so that God may be pleased with us all.”
(Story continues below)
Meanwhile, in his Easter 2022 Message, the National President of the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN), Hon. Sir Henry Yunkwap, has invited the people of God in Nigeria “to be people of hope and should remain prayerful for God’s intervention to the many challenges we are confronted with in the country.”
Sir Yunkwap calls upon members of the laity to “increase our love for one another rather than hate.”
“Let us show more patriotism as citizens of this great nation. We must have it that this is the only country we have and must do all it takes to make it habitable for all to live in irrespective of where we come from,” the Nigerian Catholic Lay leader says in his Easter Message shared with ACI Africa.
He notes that “Easter also evokes in us the resilience of the human spirit not to give up in life and in the face of the daunting challenges.”
“This period calls us to believe that the current spate of insecurity will soon unfold as a season of triumph of good over evil and light over darkness,” Sir Yunkwap further says.
He continues, “Let us not forget about the sacrifice Jesus made by giving up himself for the salvation of all.”
“We must, as His followers, reciprocate the gesture by assisting the poor among us and giving alms to the needy. Above all, let us engage in self-examination and repentance of sins believing that He will hear us, forgive all our shortcomings and heal our land,” CLCN President says.
He implores, “I pray that in this season of rebirth, may you feel your faith renewed and your heart made new. May the glory and the promise of this joyous season, bring peace and happiness to you and your loved ones.”
Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.