By Njoki Githinji
ABUJA, MARCH 9, 2021 (CISA) – Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja has called on Muslims and Christians to put into practice the laws of the religions in their daily lives to eliminate conflict and immorality.
“If we were observing sincerely the laws of our two main religions in Nigeria, Islam and Christianity, about not stealing, corruption will be long gone and poverty will not be a problem because our human and natural resources will be appropriately utilized,” he said.
“If we pay attention to the injunction not to kill, bandits, kidnappers and religious extremists will not be violating people’s innate human dignity while calling on the name of God. We would not have had the Chibok, Kagara and the Jangede abduction of innocent school children. Similarly, the unnecessary tension between Muslims and Christians; Ibos, Tiv, Yoruba, tribes of Southern Kaduna et al, and Fulani who practise the “Abrahamic religions” will not arise,” the prelate added.
Preaching on March 7 at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Abuja, and Archbishop Kaigama condemned leaders using Holy Scriptures when taking oath of office but soon violating the Holy Scriptures.
“When public officials take oaths of office, with their hand on the Bible or the Koran, they promise to serve selflessly, but many soon commit very unpatriotic acts and corruptly rob the poor, polarize and factionalize our people based on religious, ethnic or economic interests,” he lamented.
He warned religious leaders against guiding their adherents to misuse of religion in a manner that encourages social evils.
“Today, some persons commercialize or politicize religion and are little concerned about forming their adherents to have a pure heart and a clean conscience…A place of worship is not a business center or where to plot evil against those who are of a different religious affiliation, but should be a true dwelling place for God…We exhibit great piety in our places of worship but in daily life promote corruption, social injustice, and allow bloodshed, violence and other atrocities,” he said.
The Archbishop noted that sincere adherence to laws of God will save the country from destruction.
“What can save Nigeria from the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah is the non-hypocritical obedience to God’s commandments; not the going about in long robes, erecting conspicuous places of worship at strategic places, or shouting the loudest about God and religion. There must be a “spiritual sanitation” of the hearts of all Nigerians so that justice and peace can flow from our hearts,” he said.
