‘We looked for peace, but no good
came, for a time of healing, but behold terror. We acknowledge our wickedness,
O Lord, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you.’ Jeremiah 14:19-20
Introduction
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has
relentlessly spoken out more and more against violence and repression in our
country. At the National Catholic Prayer Pilgrimage for Nigeria in Abuja held
from June 1st – 2nd 2012, the Speaker Archbishop of
Owerri, Most Rev. Anthony J. V. Obinna states: ‘In asking me to address you and
our nation on the Challenge of Reconciliation, Forgiveness and Peace,
the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, with whose mandate I speak, really stand
publicly before God on behalf of Nigeria with the look of shame, but in the
spirit of humility and repentance for all the blood of fellow Nigerians,
needlessly shed in this country ever since we were bonded together as
Nigerians. … For all our iniquities, past and present, hidden or known, we
hereby ask for God’s compassion and forgiveness’. [1]
Yes, war causes evil and never causes good. War and violence
around the globe kill millions every day. It is a really staggering and
disturbing reality which doesn’t have to be so because we - kings and
commoners have the power to change this if we become genuinely concerned
and committed for peace. Therefore, everyone must do what they can do to avoid and prevent it. Pope
Benedict XVI in His Message with regards to the 14th World Day of
the Sick draws our attention to the
challenges these problems present: ‘To the psychological unrest that affects
today a fifth of all humanity and that has become a real crisis for man’s
social wellbeing.’ With regards to the causes of the unrest he states: ‘The
ongoing wars in different parts of the world, the continuous appalling natural
disasters and the spreading of terrorism as well as causing a terrifying number
of deaths, have produced in many of survivors psychological traumas from which
any recovery seems now impossible… In the more economically advanced countries
the specialists recognize also as a cause to this unrest the negative influence
of the loss of moral values.’
Some Events following the December 2011 Madalla tragedy
The months following December 2011, since the Christmas Day
Madalla Bomb blast tragedy at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Niger State
killing many and wounding several others had been disturbing and tragic in the
History of Nigeria. We are passing through most critical crisis in recent
times. Boko Haram insurgency emerged and fear, suspicion, mistrust and
misery swept the whole country like a wild fire. Boko haram problem
reared its ugly head in a big way raking havoc and creating massive destruction
of lives and property; thousands of people died; so many are fleeing to escape
massacre and persecution; we also experienced within these months the Post Election
and Oil Subsidy Crisis which claimed many lives of our innocent citizens;
and the recent is the Dana plane crash national tragedy where so many
innocent lives perished. It is a disturbing scenario and our people have become
desperate. It would be impossible to sum up the problems of our country at the
moment, but some of the challenges are visibly obvious - insecurity, ethnic and
religious strife, food and energy shortages,
economic development and poverty eradication, human rights abuse, the horrors of Boko
Haram, blind violence, repression and terrorism. In fact, the doom and
gloom of Boko haram is spreading its dark shadow across the federation.
The horrible experiences we have had are extremely touching, painful and
agonizing. Indeed, this is a moment of sorrow for us and our hearts are heavy
over the sad events.
Endless tales of woes, blood bath and reprisal attacks
The whole experience is painful and much too traumatic to
capture in a brief piece such as this. Recent events of the gruesome terrorists
attack in our nation, and the increasing wave of socio-political and
ethno-religious crisis threatening our national security and corporate
existence lately calls for serious attention and deep prayer for our innocent
citizens. This string of attacks across the country with particular reference
to the North, has assumed higher dimension witnessing spates of bombings,
kidnappings, assassinations, abductions, gun attacks on key point and strategic
areas of interest – Military formations, Churches, Schools, Market places,
Banks and private residences by unidentified gun men on motor cycles, who trail
their victims to attack and inflict serious injuries on them. The recent is the
Sunday June 11, 2012 triple Bomb attacks of three Churches in Trikania and
Zaria all in Kaduna State carried out by Islamist militant sect of Boko haram
and the reprisal attacks which left many dead and property destroyed. Boko
haram struck and left on its heels pains, misery, questions upon questions. A
twenty four hour curfew was imposed by the Kaduna State government to prevent
further attacks and destruction. But wait a minute! How long shall we
continue with this endless tales of carnage, blood bath and reprisal attacks?
How long shall the rioters in counter reprisals and attacks continue to defy
the 24 hours curfew imposed by the State government?
Sharing together our fears, dreams, struggles and hopes
Following the relaxation of the curfew by four hours on
Friday, from 12 noon to 4.00pm to enable the Moslem Brethren fulfill their
obligation of Friday Congregational Worship, People in Kaduna Metropolis
who have been under a general detention and house arrest for three days
were seen rushing to the market to replenish their foodstuff and other domestic
essentials. Christians were seen buying from moslems, and moslems from
Christians such perishable items like tomatoes, pepper, onion, vegetable,
banana, garden - egg and plantain without discrimination, and sharing together
their mutual fears, dreams, aspirations, struggles and hope. What in the first
place would have spark off this tension and senseless attacks that led to our
brothers and sisters being butchered and allowed to rot in the gutters, they
questioned? ‘This is really horrible!’ said an observer as all hurried to
scamper away to avoid any possible spiraling violence still lurking around.
This feeling of separation leaves us miserable and unhappy.
Conclusion
Ignorance I think accounts for this callousness and
recklessness. No religion preaches hate, but some religious leaders do. They
interpret Holy Books to proclaim their ignorance as faith and doctrine. Hate
preachers who preach bloodletting to stir up trouble leading to
disaffection should be carefully identified, closely monitored and prosecuted
for inciting trouble. I appeal to all of us citizens (educated and uneducated,
rich and poor, lowly and great), religious leaders (Christians and Moslems),
politicians, and journalists to stand united with one voice to call a spade and
spade, name injustice wherever we see it, condemn violence and rid Nigeria of
all unscrupulous and anti - democratic elements. We must stay and live with
each other as a people, and try to protect each other from our common enemies. We
must stand united to speak out more and more powerfully against violence and
repression even if it will inevitably bring us under criticism and outright
persecution.
Remember, we are social beings and cannot live harmoniously
except in relation to others. Selwyn Hughes tells his story thus: A woman wrote
to me some years ago and said: ‘I am at
the point where I can get along without people.’ She finished her letter by
pleading: ‘Please send me an encouraging word.’ What she needed was not
encouragement but exhortation – exhortation to get back in relationship with
someone[2].
So, let us reason together and get back in right relationship with one
another to make Nigeria great. We must understand that we have a mutual
obligation to work for peace and promote each other’s joy, happiness and
welfare.
Rev. Fr. Michael Adefemi Adegbola, Director media Service
Centre, Kaduna Nigeria
