We Can’t Compromise Christian Unity -Martins, Bamgbola, Utomi, Others

The need for religious harmony amongst the various denominations that make up Christendom cannot be compromised, as it remains the glue that binds together all followers of Jesus Christ. This formed the kernel of the submissions made by religious leaders and opinion leaders at a one-day gathering organized by the Directorate of Ecumenism and Inter Religious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Lagos held recently at St Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja. For the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Christian unity is not an option but an obligation to promote one common humanity and inter religious dialogue. Speaking at the event with the theme: Christian Unity: A Response to Systematic Violence, Insecurity and Social Justice,” Archbishop Martins noted that to ensure the survival of Christianity, all should strive for unity and that Christians should not only gather to pray but to involve other social actions for peace to flourish. Earlier in a paper entitled “Inter Religious Dialogue A Panacea for Nation Building,” Professor (Apostle) Alexander Bamgbola, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria Lagos State, emphasized the need for inter denominational dialogue before inter religious dialogue. He asked Christians to speak with one voice. Quoting him “The persecution of Christians in northern Nigeria calls for the need to interact at faith level and seek for relationship and reconciliation which will promote peace building. Doubtless, the activities of Boko Haram and Myetti Allah of a necessity call for relationship across religious border line. This is vital and current.” He concluded. In his submission, Professor Pat Utomi, chairman of the occasion said the ecumenical movement is very crucial at this point in time, insisting that so much blood has been shed in the name of God. He said the country has been taken over by a few individuals and that it is time to take our country back, he urged. The Director of Ecumenism, Rev. Fr. Michael Etegene lamented the fate of Christians in Nigeria and that Christians were virtually a conquered people, he said. The lead paper presented by Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto centred on “Christian Unity: A Response to systematic violence, Insecurity and Social Justice.” Prominent clergy that graced the event included Msgr John Aniagwu, Msgr Bernard Okodua and the Director of Inter Religious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Lagos, Rev Fr Michael Eteghene