Pope sends special message of solidarity to Nigerian bishops

March 17, 2015

Pope Francis has written a letter to the Catholic bishops of Nigeria, encouraging them to act as peacemakers in a country torn by violence.

In the letter, dated March 2 but made public by the Vatican on March 17, the Pope does not mention Boko Haram by name. But he clearly has the Islamic terrorist group in mind when he writes of “new and violent forms of extremism and fundamentalism on ethnic, social and religious grounds.” He observes:

Believers, both Christian and Muslim, have experienced a common tragic outcome, at the hands of people who claim to be religious, but who instead abuse religion, to make of it an ideology for their own distorted interests of exploitation and murder.

In answer to this violence, the Pope says that peace should be pursued by “building up a ‘culture of encounter.’” He praises Nigerian Church leaders for their efforts to promote peace, and assures them of his prayerful support.

In the end, the Pope remarks, “Peace is for us a gift which comes from on high; it is Jesus Christ himself.”

At the opening of his message to the Nigerian hierarchy, the Pope says that he believes the nation “is set to play a primary role, not only in Africa but in the world at large.” He notes the “robust growth” in the Nigerian economy which has made it the largest single economic power in Africa, and says that the country has also emerged as a key political player in the region.

 

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Further information:

• Pope Expresses his Nearness to the Bishops and People of Nigeria (VIS)