The Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa, RECOWA, has called for sustainable peace to enhance development in the region.
The call was made in Abuja, Nigeria at the ongoing 2022 annual General Assembly.
President of the Conference, Arch Bishop Ignatius Kaigama maintained that the Church has a crucial role to play in fostering unity, peace, cross cultural and inter-religious dialogue as well as forgiveness and reconciliation.
According to him, RECOWA has been a strong voice against land grabbing, human trafficking, illegal migration and terrorism.
“We also face the issues of youths and violence, religious and ethnic crisis, climate change, land grabbing, diseases and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“The essence of this conference is to reiterate that Africa deserves a tranquillity period. A period of peace which will engender growth and development so that the people of God in Africa irrespective of the religion they practice or tribe can live as brothers and sisters and help one another along and Overcome the challenges of life”. Kaigama said.
Vice Chairman of RECOWA, Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, called on the Nigerian Government to be sensitive to the needs of the nation’s teeming youths.
Representing the Nigerian President, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commended the Catholic Community and other religious organs for fostering peace and promoting human relations.
“The founding fathers of Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS envisioned a West Africa that will be a free zone for trade and commerce where people will be free thereby overcoming colonialism”. The President said.
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