Press reports have indicated that Nigeria is becoming the “biggest killing ground of Christians in the world” due to attacks by extremist militants.
The International Christian Concern (ICC) estimates that between 50,000 and 70,000 Christians have been killed in the last decade in the West African nation.
POPE IMPLORES "MOTHER OF HOPE'S" INTERCESSION FOR NIGERIA'S PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
Pope Francis on Saturday, August 15, prayed for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “Mother of Hope,” for Nigeria’s persecuted Christians and for peace in conflicts in Africa.
“Today I would like to pray in particular for the population of the northern region of Nigeria, victims of violence and terrorist attacks,” Pope Francis said.
With the world commemorating the International Day of the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion on August 22, it is due time to recall Pope Francis’ words on the persecution of Christians. Since he became Pope in March 2013, Pope Francis highlighted the persecution of Christians several times. He repeatedly said, “The Church has more martyrs now than during the first centuries."
He also emphasized that "The age of martyrs is not yet over, even today we can say, in truth, that the Church has more martyrs now than during the first centuries. The Church has many men and women who are maligned through calumnies, who are persecuted, who are killed in hatred of Lord Jesus, in hatred of the faith: some are killed because they teach the catechism, others are killed because they wear the Cross. Today, in many countries, they are maligned, they are persecuted. They are our brothers and sisters who are suffering today, in this age of the martyrs."
"THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS FIRMLY TRENCHED"
UN Secretary-General António Guterres made a call in a message marking the International Day of the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion on August 22 in which he stressed that “the right to freedom of religion or belief is firmly trenched in international human rights law and is a cornerstone for inclusive, prosperous and peaceful societies”.
He said, “Yet, across the world we continue to witness deep-seated discrimination against religious minorities, attacks on people and religious sites, and hate crimes and atrocity crimes targeting populations simply because of their religion or belief.”
STATEMENTS THAT SOUND ALARMING BELLS
The statements made by both His Holiness Pope Francis and UN Secretary-General António Guterres sound alarming bells. The waves of persecutions emerging here and there from time to time against religious minorities, whether they are Christians or otherwise, destroy societies, damage economies, and wreak havoc. People of different religious affiliations should raise the slogan, "We are brethren in humanity and we share the common fate." The exclusion of certain components in certain societies keeps such societies bereft of diversity, of excellence, and of unique achievements.
There is an exigent need to adopt policies leading to the attainment of common living, brotherhood, and equality.
On February 4, 2019 Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb, signed in Abu Dhabi a historic declaration of peace, freedom, women’s rights, namely, "The Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together".
The declaration declares the adoption of a culture of dialogue as the path; mutual cooperation as the code of conduct; and reciprocal understanding as the method and standard.
The declaration also calls for working strenuously to spread the culture of tolerance and of living together in peace; to intervene at the earliest opportunity to stop the shedding of innocent blood and to bring an end to wars, and conflicts.
The highlights of the document is the call to attain justice based on mercy; the need to promote a culture of tolerance and acceptance of others; to initiate dialogue among believers by avoiding unproductive discussions; to protect places of worship; to condemn all forms of terrorism; and to uphold the concept of citizenship which is based on the equality of rights and duties, under which all enjoy justice.
This document maps out steps that need to be taken into consideration to eliminate persecution and violence. Will the world leaders read this document thoroughly and accordingly take the mentioned necessary steps leading to global peace, prosperity, common living and brotherly relations among all people?
