AFRICA/NIGERIA - The Bishops of West Africa: "We do not propose solutions to the problems of the region; but our mission is to educate consciences"

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - "Youth unemployment, religious and ethnic crises, climate change, land grabbing; diseases even more deadly than the Covid-19 pandemic, money spent on arms instead of using it to remedy the crippling effect of hunger and to foster development; terrorist attacks, kidnappings and corruption". These are the problems that afflict the countries of West Africa according to what was stated by President His Exc. Msgr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja, at the opening of the 4th Plenary Assembly of the Reunion of Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA), which is being held in the federal capital of Nigeria.
The problems mentioned by Archbishop Kaigama derive at least in part from "a political governance that in many cases is not based on charity, justice, truth and transparency". "We do not claim to have solutions the multidimensional political, security and social problems", underlined Archbishop Kaigama, recalling that "the Church can only continue to play her role in educating the consciences of Christians, non-Christians and people of goodwill in our society".
"Leaders of the region must, therefore, use political power to create good governance rather than for personal advancement or allow religious, ethnic, economic or political interests to subordinate the common good. Leaders must enthrone merit, share resources equitably, and do away with the virus of corruption and self centeredness".
In his speech, the President of the Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Owerri, said that the international community must work together to develop new strategies to address global problems. "Global problems demand global response and action in the spirit of co-responsibility, cooperation and collaboration". The RECOWA Plenary is entitled "Fratelli Tutti: a path to build brotherhood and sustainable peace in West Africa". More than 150 Bishops from 16 countries of the West African region are taking part. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 4/5/2022)

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