Ahead of the 2023 General elections in Nigeria, the Catholic Bishops’ s Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has called on politicians to imbibe the spirit of fair play.
The President of CBCN, Bishop Lucius Ugorji, made the call in the 2022 Easter message as Christians in Nigeria join their counterparts across the globe to celebrate the Risen Lord.
EXCERPTS FROM THE BISHOP’S MESSAGE
In his words, “As we draw closer to another period of general elections, which are often characterised by bloody conflicts, we urge everyone seeking an electoral office to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and not see a political contest as a do-or-die affair.
“We also implore one and all to make a personal commitment to non-violence.
“This is because violence only breeds violence. The vicious cycle of violence results in utter destruction and is never a solution to any human problem.
“Far from fighting and killing one another as a way of settling differences, we should harken to those beautiful words from the Book of Isaiah in the Holy Bible which says; “Beat your sword into ploughshares” (Is 2, 4). No more bitterness! No more killing!”
Bishop Ugorji also expressed optimism that Hope and Peace will flourish in Nigeria despite all odds “As a nation, we celebrate Easter this year in a rather dismal atmosphere that breathes pessimism and despair.
“The growing insecurity of life and property in the country is compounded by the rising wave of mindless massacres of innocent citizens by evil terrorists, causing grief, trauma and uncertainty.
“Economic hardship with soaring inflation continues to sweep across the nation like wildfire and seems to reduce millions of our countrymen and women to a life of wanton suffering and distress.
This horrible state of affairs is driving many compatriots to a feeling of cynicism.”
BISHOP UGORJI SPEAKS ON THE MEANING OF EASTER
He said that “Easter is not just the day the tomb was discovered empty; it is a fifty-day celebration, which stretches from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.
“It spans the period of the rebirth of nature every year and so reminds us of renewing our lives by dying to our old selves of sin and springing into a new life of righteousness, worthy of the sons and daughters of God.
“It recalls Christ’s victory over sin and calls on us to renounce evil and keep away from the path of sin.
“Easter challenges us to be ambassadors of peace in a divided and strife-torn world.
“We need to imbibe the enduring message of peace, especially now that we are experiencing much violence in the country.
“We can promote peace when we recognise that poverty; religious and ethnic bigotry; human rights abuse; environmental degradation with the resulting depletion of resources; greed; corruption; lack of inclusiveness and poor governance are the root causes of tension, strife and violent conflicts in our country.”
HE CALLS FOR A UNIVERSAL WILL TO SHUN VIOLENCE AND IMBIBE PEACE
“Together, we need to muster the political will to reduce these social ills in our nation drastically.
“Peace can be fostered when we value the sanctity of human life, cherish our common brotherhood and shun the spilling of innocent blood as outrageous.
“We should keep in mind that true peace begins from within the self, where we can find inner peace with God and our conscience. We should all cultivate inner peace for social peace to thrive in our nation.
“For inner peace and tranquillity facilitate peaceful cohabitation in the family, community and nation. In contrast, when anger, hatred, envy, bigotry, wickedness and greed erect their empires in our hearts, there cannot be social peace.”
On behalf of the CBCN, the Bishop wishes Nigerians a happy Easter as he prayed for them and better days in Nigeria.
E/Suzan O.
