Archbishop Kaigama said that the Holy Spirit was effective in addressing the complaint presented by Greek speaking Christians about their widows being sidelined as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.
“There was no need for violent demonstrations with the destruction of lives and properties,” he said, and explained, “The same spirit of dialogue and fraternity inspired their decision as we read today, to address the issue of circumcision. We should notice the spirit of consultations, dialogue (round table conference) rather than arbitrary decisions or actions.”
The Catholic Church leader made reference to the Gospel of the sixth Sunday of Easter, and encouraged the people of God to embrace Jesus Christ saying that in Him (Jesus), there is that kind of peace that the world cannot offer.
He said that true religion that is guided by the Spirit of God does not place “any unnecessary burdens on anyone”, and that true religion lives according to the Spirit of truth.
“We must make the distinction between essentials and non-essentials in religion. The Apostles made it clear to the entire body of Christ that true religion is that which lives according to the dictates of the Spirit of Truth,” Archbishop Kaigama said during Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church of his native Diocese of Jalingo.
The Local Ordinary of Abuja Archdiocese who started his Episcopal Ministry in Jalingo Diocese in April 1995 added in reference to true religion, “While it acknowledges the importance of religious traditions, norms and practices, it is above all concerned with the meaning or the spirit behind the worship that we offer to God.”
He continued, “In the different religions we have always witnessed the presence of certain individuals who are out to distort the message of their scriptures with falsehood, tainted by crass ignorance or fanatical aggression.”
The 63-year-old Nigerian Archbishop encouraged all Christians not only to listen to the Holy Spirit but also to let Him be in charge of their lives by directing and guiding their affairs especially amidst the current confusion caused by the spirit of the world.
“As we draw nearer to the feast of Pentecost, our minds are being prepared for the coming of the Holy Spirit, the One who teaches everything: He teaches us to love, He teaches us the truth, He teaches us how to pray, He brings us forgiveness of sins and peace, and to free us from religious fanaticism and violent extremism,” he said.
Archbishop Kaigama urged the people of God in Africa’s most populous country to shun revengeful tendencies and instead pray for the perpetrators since revenge belongs to God alone.
