Forgiving “genuinely, quickly only way to end” Nigeria’s Multifront Violence: Archbishop

Archbishop Kaigama continued, “While it is understood that there may be good grounds to feel hurt or aggrieved, either because we have been falsely accused, suffered maltreatment and other situations of social injustice, our refusal to forgive makes us no better than publicans.

According to the 65-year-old Archbishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as the Bishop of Nigeria’s Jalingo Diocese, “Forgiveness does not take away the hurt or deny the past injury, but it means being willing to overcome the barriers that stand in the way of mending a strained relationship.”

Making reference to the Sunday Gospel reading from St. Matthew on the unforgiving servant who had earlier had his debt canceled, he compared the merciless behavior of the servant to those involved in Nigeria’s “gruesome attacks and destruction rooted in ethnic, political, religious bigotry and polemic writings.”

“We need forgiveness in the family, in marital relationships, inter-religious coexistence, and friendship. Forgiveness heals and enables us to rise above prejudices to embrace each other in love,” the Local Ordinary of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese since November 2019 said.

He cited Jesus’ practice of forgiveness as recorded in scriptures, including the encounter with the adulterous woman, and the paralytic of Capernaum, and called upon Nigerians to “emulate Him in love and not be consumed by anger and bitterness.”

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“We cannot claim to be true and genuine Christians unless our lives, our every word, actions, and interactions with one another show the kind of love, compassion, and mercy that God Himself has shown us,” Archbishop Kaigama said.

He added, “We don’t use mathematics or arithmetic in forgiveness, nor do we need a calculator. As God forgives us our heinous crimes and sins, we must learn to always forgive others.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.