Bishop Kukah Laments Continuous Killing Of Christians In The North
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, condemns the ongoing persecution of Christians in Northern Nigeria, highlighting the lack of legal action against perpetrators who continue to evade justice.
... Says Nigeria is the only country where killing of Christians does not constitute an offence
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, His Grace, Most Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah, has lamented the continuous persecution of Christians in the North, noting that perpetrators were always allowed to move freely without facing due processes of the law.
Kukah said that no single person who killed Christians in the North had ever been charged to court for trial for murder, despite the ill-treatment experienced by the church in the North in recent years, pointing out that those involved had always been allowed to go scot-free.
Kukah said that no single person who killed Christians in the North had ever been charged to court for trial for murder, despite the ill-treatment experienced by the church in the North in recent years, pointing out that those involved had always been allowed to go scot-free.
The bishop spoke virtually during the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Order of the Knights of St Mulumba Nigeria, Eko Subordinate Council, with the theme, "Christian Martyrdom in Nigeria…a Building Block or Stumbling Block to Salvation or Patriotism," held in Lagos.
According to Kukah, ethnic colouration was always given to the Christian faith in Nigeria, warning that such attitude must be discarded.
His words, “If you look at our country – Nigeria, the issue is that, in Northern Nigeria, Christians constitute some of the groups that you can kill without consequences. You can ask yourself has anybody ever been charged for burning churches or for destroying Christian properties.
“A pastor was slaughtered openly in Adamawa. People, priests were killed in Benue. Priests have been killed in Kaduna.
“It seems as if killing Christians is the only thing the world can do without consequences.
According to Kukah, ethnic colouration was always given to the Christian faith in Nigeria, warning that such attitude must be discarded.
His words, “If you look at our country – Nigeria, the issue is that, in Northern Nigeria, Christians constitute some of the groups that you can kill without consequences. You can ask yourself has anybody ever been charged for burning churches or for destroying Christian properties.
“A pastor was slaughtered openly in Adamawa. People, priests were killed in Benue. Priests have been killed in Kaduna.
“It seems as if killing Christians is the only thing the world can do without consequences.
"That means that if you are serious as Christians, Catholics, what happens to the church in Ikwerre, what happens to the church in Sokoto, what happens to the church in Onitsha, what happens to the church everywhere in this country should affect us.
“Tragically, you know, Christianity has become largely subordinated to ethnicity.
“Many people today still have a caliphate mentality that those who are not part of us must be against us. And this is the fate of Christians and Christianity in many parts of Northern Nigeria today, where Christianity is being tolerated.
“Christians are being denied lands to build churches, and it is not seen as a problem. In a place like Kenya, I have a problem of that nature right now as we talk...
“Tragically, you know, Christianity has become largely subordinated to ethnicity.
“Many people today still have a caliphate mentality that those who are not part of us must be against us. And this is the fate of Christians and Christianity in many parts of Northern Nigeria today, where Christianity is being tolerated.
“Christians are being denied lands to build churches, and it is not seen as a problem. In a place like Kenya, I have a problem of that nature right now as we talk...
“It is not about friendship. If it is about friendship, Jesus would have said to Peter, get behind me. When we are confronted, martyrdom is not just about being killed. Because, of course, in the end, you are killed for speaking the truth.
“I remember in the days of Abacha, many times people used to say to me, oh Bishop, if you don’t keep quiet, you will be killed for nothing.
“I am saying so because we now need to come to terms with the essence that every day of our lives as Christians, we are challenged to martyrdom. Martyrdom because a sword is dangling before us."
“I remember in the days of Abacha, many times people used to say to me, oh Bishop, if you don’t keep quiet, you will be killed for nothing.
“I am saying so because we now need to come to terms with the essence that every day of our lives as Christians, we are challenged to martyrdom. Martyrdom because a sword is dangling before us."
Continuing, Kukah further said that Christians must preach the gospel, whether welcome or unwelcome, noting that the gospel had no ethnic or political boundaries.
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