We failed to preach peace, says Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri

The challenges are enormous. First, I am in charge of the second largest diocese in Nigeria after Sokoto. So my first challenge is how to go round the entire diocese, comprising two states and-a-half. I was installed on the 13th of August 2009 and by Christmas, I had gone round the parishes that make up […]

The challenges are enormous. First, I am in charge of the second largest diocese in Nigeria after Sokoto. So my first challenge is how to go round the entire diocese, comprising two states and-a-half.

I was installed on the 13th of August 2009 and by Christmas, I had gone round the parishes that make up the diocese to thank the people. What is remaining is what we call pastoral visits, in which you will go to a particular parish to perform a function.

Now, almost half of the parishes have booked me. So, from now to June, I would have gone round almost half of the diocese again for performance of functions like marriage solemnization, first communion and strengthening of the people spiritually. During such visits, I don’t only go to the catholic members but the traditional rulers of such places regardless of their religious backgrounds.

I am here not only for the Catholic Church as I said earlier but I make efforts to see that there is collaboration between us and the government and the traditional institutions. On the very day I was ordained, we paid a visit to the state governor. He waited for us for about two hours because the ceremony took a long time; and the visit was wonderful.

Another part of the challenge is that I try to relate with our Christian brothers from other churches. When I came, the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria paid me a visit and we had a wonderful interactive session. We talked on how to strengthen the faith of our members.  These are some of the challenges and I thank God that things are going on according to God’s plan.

How do you see the political situation in Nigeria today?

To be very frank with ourselves, the political development does not portray the wonderful image Nigeria is supposed to have in the international community.

Look at the sickness of the president! In our churches, we prayed for his recovery. But there is also the secrecy behind his health. He is a public figure and people are entitled to know his condition of health. But that has not really been revealed to many. It shouldn’t have been like that!

Agreed that the president was unconscious by the time he was flown out of the county. But that was not a good reason why the he couldn’t empower the vice president to take the mantle of leadership while he would be away for the treatment.

Apart from that, if you look at what government is supposed to do for the masses, you will realize that there is a lot to be done economically, socially and politically. We ought to have constant electricity supply. If Nigeria can supply electricity to neighbouring countries, why can’t it have stable electricity supply? More so, if you go to our schools and hospitals, you will see that there is a lot that needs to be done.

In the days when Nigeria was divided into regions, the country was relatively more peaceful. The reverse is the case now particularly in the North.  Is it that our religious leaders who are supposed to preach peace to their followers have failed in their duties? How do we get Nigeria off the present violent track?

To an extent, I will say we have failed in the work of preaching peace to our people.  I am talking about religious leaders who should preach peace to their adherents. Our Master’s (Jesus’) injunction is ‘I come to preach peace to the people’ and we as his ministers ought to preach the same peace.  I am not saying that peace is not being preached, but is it done in such a way that it sinks into the hearts of our adherents? Have we preached in such a manner that the people have fully realised that it is important that ‘I as a Christian should stay in peace with a Muslim sister or brother’? And ‘I as a Muslim, should I stay in peace with a Christian brother or sister and others’?

 In the past, we never knew anything like that.  Before I came here, I worked in Bauchi in the early 80’s and up till now I still communicate with some of my Muslim friends. Some of them attended my ordination in Jos and that tells you the kind of relationship we have, for over 20 years.

So, there is more work to be done by the religious leaders, either on the side of Christians or Muslims.  We need to really talk and practice what we preach in our lives.

Ignorance is a very destructive disease, and that is part of our problems. Greedy politicians capitalize on the ignorance of the people and use religion as undertone to achieve their selfish interests. So government should try to make sure everyone is educated.

Idleness too is the devil’s workshop. There are many of our people who are roaming the streets and they can easily be used for destruction. If we have a very serious government in power and everybody is empowered, who will have time to go plot killing or be used as agent of destruction?

The church has been in the media over the issue of gay priests.

First, we [Catholics] deal with human beings, who are very complex to handle.  So it is one thing for one to be regarded as a Man of God and it is another thing for the person to show that he/she is really a Man of God.  You wouldn’t know when you are working with people that the devil is also at work with.

Some of us, while growing up as children, never heard anything like this in the church. But it is now coming up, which shows that the devil is at work and some people have allowed the devil to use them.

But the most important thing here is that the church does not tolerate it. Any catholic priest found to have engaged in such a practice will be punished. It is not only that [gay practice] but child molestation. The church will not condone all this.