- Calls for return to true value of religion, synodality
- Raises concern over spiraling poverty, hunger, hardship, suffering
- Laments escalating insecurity in the country
- Enjoins individuals, families, institutions, government to promote moral integrity
Courts and Election Petition Tribunals have been urged to be fair and just in the delivery of judgements, and civil societies charged to canvass for reforms in which all election petitions would be determined before the swearing-in and inauguration of new administrations. The assertion was made by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), through a Com- muniqué issued at the end of its Second Plenary Meeting held recently in Abuja.
In the Communiqué jointly signed by its President, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese and Secretary, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, OSA, Bishop of Uromi Diocese, the CBCN regretted that in spite of its First Plenary Assembly Communiqué that urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its officials to ensure transparency, honesty and fairness in the conduct of the elections, election exercise was marred by many pitfalls and irregularities.
Expressing fears that the effects of these irregularities may engender voter apathy and adversely affect the confidence of citizens in future elections, the prelates encouraged the electorate to always hope in God and not relent in the exercise of their civic duties. The Communiqué entitled “Nigeria: Religion, Civic Responsibility and the Building of a Better Nigeria” read in part, “As reported by many of our commissioned observers all over the country, there were threats, intimidation, violence, poor logistics, inducement, impunity, manipulation of results, as well as lack of transparency. We are pleased to note that many of the aggrieved persons opted to seek redress through the courts rather than inciting people to violence. “
As the judicial determination of the election petitions is ongoing, we continue to call on the tribunals and the courts to be fair, just and credible in their judgements. This will inspire confidence in the process and encourage every citizen to work for the common good. By so doing, the people will have more confidence in the electoral process. “Furthermore, we urge civil societies to put more pressure on government to initiate further reforms in which all election petitions would be determined before the swearing-in and inauguration of new administrations.”
The Bishops condemned abuse of religion as tool for violence and implored Nigerians to use it as positive force for rebuilding Nigeria. They x-rayed the pros and cons of the three main religions of Nigeria which include Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion. “These religions have enjoyed mutual co-existence over time and agree on the sacredness of human life, moral uprightness, justice for all, especially for the poor and the vulnerable, respect for elders and those in authority, and many other common values. “
True as the above is, religion has had its share of negative impact on some nations, especially in multi-ethnic and diverse cultures. In our country, religion is sometimes, unfortunately used as a tool and justification for violence, oppression, division and manipulation. It has been instrumentalised.” The CBCN called on Nigerians to embrace religion as a tool for national unity while also charging Christians to participate in politics and promote the common good. “We call for a return to the true value of religion as a positive force in rebuilding our nation. We invite all Christians, and indeed all people of good will, to be salt of the earth (Cf. Matthew 5:13-16), in the quest for rebuilding our nation through political participation, contribution to sustainable development, promotion of the common good, social justice, the rule of law, and shunning primordial interests that inhibit peace and development of the society.”
The Catholic Bishops expressed strong concern at the unprecedented wave of kidnappings, maiming, killings, population displacements and disruption of socio-economic activities owing to the worsening terrorism and banditry. “Insecurity has remained a persisting problem in our country as insurgents, herdsmen militia, bandits, and the so-called unknown gunmen have continued to unleash terror in different parts of the country. “Kidnapping for ransom has continued. Some of our communities have been completely taken over by criminals. The result is that many have fled their homes, the abandoned their farms, shops, businesses and other sources of livelihood.
The throng of internally-displaced persons in our country is ever-growing, with many children out of school, making them easy prey to human traffickers. “This state of affairs has been compounded by the incessant sitat-home orders in the South-East issued by non-state actors. Many have lost their lives for failing to adhere to such illegal directives.” The CBCN condemned the gruesome murder of the young seminarian, Stephen Na’aman Ngofe Danladi, of Kafanchan Diocese and all the other victims of such violence in all parts of the country as they condoled with all the bereaved and prayed for the eternal repose of the dead.
They called on governments at all levels, to stand up to their primary responsibility of safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerians. “The blood of the innocent continues to cry out to God for vengeance like Abel’s”, the prelates remarked. The bishops bemoaned the economic crisis that has left many Nigerians struggling to feed and survive. “Our failing and worsening economy has continued to make living difficult and hard for our people. Nigerians have been subjected to a life of poverty, hunger, hardship and suffering.
The condition has been aggravated by the removal of fuel subsidy, which has led to high cost of food items, transportation and meeting up with other essential needs. As if these were not enough, the hike in school fees has made it difficult for the children of the poor to continue their education. “Based on past experience, we consider the resort to palliative measures as a treatment of the symptom rather than the cure for the disease. We, therefore, urge government to address the fundamental defective structures that deepened inequality and poverty. “
We call on governments to provide the enabling environment for the creation of more jobs for our teeming unemployed youths. We equally encourage government to put in place measures that will curb the persistence of theft of oil and other minerals. At the same time, we enjoin the government to radically review programmes aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Youths. We equally advise the youth not to resort to violence and crime as a substitute for hard work.” The Chief Shepherds asked governments at all levels to reduce cost of governance. “We reject the ever increasing scandalous comfort and remuneration of elected leaders to the detriment of the poor. We therefore demand that the governments cut the increasing cost of running government in our country, and that the money saved be used to provide essential amenities and services.”
The CBCN urged all Nigerians to embrace synodality as a way of life and the principles of synodality as a true path to rebuilding the country. According to them, synodality means journeying together as a people of God by way of communion, participation and mission. They explained, “It fosters collaboration, forgiveness and reconciliation. Synodality is facilitated by listening, a deeper form of hearing, shared responsibility and dialogue. To listen is to seek to understand; to understand is to seek reconciliation. Reconciliation brings forgiveness; forgiveness brings collaboration which promotes growth and development”.
The Bishops added, “As we seek to do this, the different ethnic components, political affiliations and religio-cultural diversities should be helped to come together to work for peace, progress and development. In effect, Synodality has the power to break all artificial barriers through cordiality and right relationships.” The high-ranking clerics called for enhancement of moral integrity of the nation, stressing that it is paramount to its growth and development. According to the Bishops, one who has moral integrity does the right thing always, takes responsibility for his or her actions, treats others with respect, and is honest. The Communiqué read in part, “These qualities are necessary for rebuilding a strong and cohesive society.
Unfortunately, our country is in serious deficit of moral rectitude which is demonstrated in increasing corruption, cyber-crime and other forms of criminality, blatant lies, and dishonesty. As Bishops, we are concerned that moral education is not given adequate attention in the families, schools, formation programmes and public institutions. “The media have not been of great benefit in the fight against moral decadence as it has been abused for fraudulent and self-serving purposes.
To reverse moral decline in our country, we call for integral formation. “We urge parents to be alive to their responsibilities by word and example in raising their children according to ethical values. As Church, we are committed, more than ever before, to the catechetical formation of all our faithful. We enjoin individuals, families, institutions, and the government at all levels to put integrity and moral rectitude as a priority in their relationships and operations. “We equally call on our youths to have renewed faith in God and abide by good moral principles in their daily life, since they are the driving force that determines the future and hope of the nation.”
