President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday
criticised those who kill and maim in the name of religion, saying
such people cannot be worshipping God.
Jonathan made the observation in his
remarks at a service to mark the 30th episcopal ordination and
celebration of the elevation of John Onaiyekan to cardinal at Our Lady
Queen of Nigeria, Pro-Cathedral, Abuja.
Fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram,
has been claiming responsibility for many of the bombings in the
country, especially in the North.
The violence unleashed by the sect,
which among other things, is demanding the Islamisation of the country,
had claimed hundreds of lives.
But Jonathan on Sunday insisted that the
two major religions in the country preach love and tolerance, saying
anybody or group who acted contrary to the injunctions could not be said
to be worshipping God.
He said, “We all know that no religion
preaches or encourages violence. The two major religions in our land
preach brotherhood love and peaceful co-existence which are their
foundations.
“Those who do otherwise do not worship
God. Because it cannot be the same person who worships God that will
encourage people to kill people who are also created by God.
“We believe that God created all of us
and anybody who raises weapon to kill the very one created by God cannot
be said to be worshipping God.”
The President urged church leaders to help in moulding good characters that will help in building a better society.
He expressed the belief that if the
church carried out its responsibility of building Nigerians of good
character, the nation would be a better place for all.
Jonathan, who congratulated Onaiyekan on
his elevation, said it was a significant achievement and honour for the
clergyman and the nation.
Noting that he had been working and
interacting with the clergyman since he was Vice-President Jonathan said
Onaiyekan came across as a simple, humble and unassuming man of God.
He expressed the hope that very soon, a Nigerian would emerge a Pope.
“Very soon, not too long, we shall also celebrate a papal father from Nigeria,” he declared.
President of the Senate, David Mark, at a
reception after the service, expressed the readiness of the National
Assembly to make a law that would curtail the activities of religious
extremists.
He said, “We (members of the National
Assembly) are ready to support religious activities that will foster
unity in the country and we are ready to make laws that will fight
religious extremism in the country.”
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Today , i realize that GEJ is good at preaching .
ReplyDeleteGood talk
It is true that all known religion preach brotherhold, peace & love. In the same vain no religion accept injustice, corruption by leaders ; because it causes, create & lead to violence. Not as if I am on the side of those involve in violence against defenceless citizen. But, much need to be done. In curbing corruption by streghtening the anti-graft law & making it effective in a way that see all citizen as equal. The only way out of this mess we find ourselves is to ensure a just society where: Justice! Justice!! & Justice!!! must be the hallmark of leadership.
ReplyDeleteSee David Mark. You and your yeye coleagues has not been able to churn out drastic laws against kidnapping, terrorism, corruption and economic sabotage! Yet you say you are ready. If any corrupt Government officer, like you and your colleagues are found guilty of corruption and sentenced to death, how many senators, House of Rep., and ministers will remain?
ReplyDelete