Pope
Benedict yesterday called for immediate end to what he called “terrorist
attacks”against Christians in Nigeria and urged all sides to avoid
reprisals.
The
escalating violence has raised fears of wider sectarian conflict after
months of attacks on churches, government buildings and other sites by
the Islamist Boko Haram sect.
Nofewer
than 40 people were killed in clashes between Muslim and Christian
residents in Kaduna on Tuesday, triggered by the suspected Islamist
bombings of three churches, according to figures from the Nigerian Red
Cross.
“I am
following with deep concern the news from Nigeria, where terrorist
attacks are continuing especially against Christians,” the Pope said at
his weekly general audience.
“I appeal to those responsible for the violence to immediately stop the spilling of the blood of many innocent people.”
He
urged all groups in Nigeria to shun “the path of vendetta”and work
towards building a peaceful society where people are free to practice
their religion
Also yesterday, two clerics in Lagos urged the Federal Government to urgently address the bombings to avoid anarchy.
Speaking
with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the clerics said the bombings
could degenerate to a religious or ethnic war - if unchecked.
Monsignor
Gabriel Osu, the Director of Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of
Lagos, said steps must be taken to avert the bombings and reprisal.“ We
are getting to the most dangerous part; that is reprisal, and if not
nipped in the bud, it can lead to a religious war.
“Security
agencies should intervene more because once the people take laws into
their hands to defend themselves, it is anarchy,” he said.
Pastor
Femi Asiwaju, the Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria,
Lagos chapter, said the Federal Government should intensify efforts to
check insecurity.
“We
pray that this will not go out of hand; the government should urgently
proffer solutions to avert a religious or even a tribal war,’’ he added.
By r Courtesy Of: The Nation
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