News

Nigerian massacres: a 'horror' but not a religious conflict

March 09, 2010

The Vatican has expressed "concern and horror" at the mass killings of Christians in Nigeria.

A March 9 statement from the Vatican press office made the point that although the conflict in northern Nigerian villages pitted Muslims against Christians, it should be seen "not as a religious but a social confrontation." Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria, explained to a Vatican Radio audience that it was "a classic conflict between herdsmen and farmers." The archbishop said that Christian leaders "continue to work to promote good relations between Christians and Muslims."

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• Concern and Horror at Violence in Nigeria (VIS)

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• Posted by: garedawg - Mar. 10, 2010 12:35 AM ET USA

  The oldest conflict of all: between Abel the farmer and Cain the herdsman.

• Posted by: enterprise_coffee6927 - Mar. 09, 2010 5:49 PM ET USA

  My ancestors came to this Country pursuant to a land grant from the King of Spain for the aid they provided in riding the Country from Muslim occupation which continued from 711AD until 1492AD. There is a valley in Sicily named after my family because of the aid they provided in riding the island of Muslims. Muslims were at the outskirts of Vienna as late as 1536. The Muslim dream of a "World Caliphate" is absolute. Why do we continue to quibble about the obvious? Farzi anyone?