Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - “The context of our visit...is defined by our desire to reinforce the spirit of solidarity and mutual interdependence between the Church in Nigeria and the Church in Rwanda. It is our hope and we wish that we could contribute to the peace and reconciliation processes which you have undertaken with vigor. We come in order to underline the role and responsibility of the Catholic Church to bring about peace where it is not existent and to solidify it where it already exists,” the Bishops of Nigeria wrote to the Bishops' Conference of Rwanda, in a message published on the occasion of their visit to Rwanda.
“Archbishop Felix Alaba Job of Ibadan, President of the Nigerian Bishops' Conference, accompanied by Fr. Michael Ekpenyong, Secretary General of the Conference, and by Dr. Joseph Nwizarh, made a visit to the Bishops' Conference and the government of Rwanda, in an act of solidarity, December 14-17,” a note sent to Agenzia Fides by the Nigerian Bishops' Conference said.
The Catholic commitment to peace, the Bishops say in their message, derived from the “Catholic Social Teaching compels us to recognize the absolute value of the human person, created in the image of God and endowed with definite system of rights and obligations that flow directly and simultaneous from the very nature of being human.”
“As custodian of public conscience,” the message says, “the Church should strive to be identified and to be seen as the Agent of Peace. It is an important responsibility of the church to integrate faith and action in order to properly dispense her role as conscience of the people. It must be said that, the situation where a ruling group wields almost exclusive military, political and economic control and tolerates no criticism or challenge to its authority cannot be acceptable.”
“Every segment of Rwandan society must participate and play an active role to bring about unity and national reconciliation. This should be anchored on effective freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of movement and freedom of conscience. Rwandans must find means and ways of holding their leaders accountable. A neutral institution, such as an ombudsman’s office – equipped with political, administrative, and financial independence should be allowed to establish equitable standards for political competition and to define the limits of freedom of expression and association, in order to avoid abuse bound to lead to further tensions.”
The message concludes by inviting the Church in Rwanda to continue in its efforts towards peace and reconciliation, including through inventing a prayer for peace, as has been done in Nigeria. The Nigerian Bishops have also sent a message addressing the same issues, to the government in Rwanda. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 17/12/2008)
