The Secretary of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization has denounced attacks in Northen Nigeria reportedly targeting Christians and called for spiritual solidarity with the persecuted followers of Jesus Christ, personal conversion of persecutors, and concrete action to end the violence.
In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of a courtesy visit to the Apostolic Nuncio in Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, on June 27, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu expressed concern about the targeted violence against Christians, especially in the Middle Belt and northern regions of the country.
“I unite myself with the Holy Father in his recent condemnation of the persecution of innocent people,” Archbishop Nwachukwu said in reference to the Holy Father’s appeal for peace in Nigeria during his June 15 Angelus prayer.
Archbishop Nwachukwu extended a heartfelt message of solidarity to Christians suffering across Nigeria, saying, “They are not abandoned. Their suffering is our suffering, their pain is our pain.”
“We are joining them in prayers, and we are also calling on those who have the power and authority to act, to put an end to these killings and acts of violence in the country,” the Nigerian-born Vatican official said.
“Prayer is essential, but we must also accompany our prayer with action—dialogue, engagement, assistance to victims, and a consistent call to justice. Real prayer is not just words; it must lead to good works,” he said.
“Often, we look to others to solve our problems, but the solution begins with each of us,” the Catholic Church leader said.
He underscored the universal responsibility of peace-building, saying, “We must preach personal repentance, conversion of heart, the culture of the heart. If each person refuses to carry out evil, even in a group, violence will stop.”
“From the pulpit to the market stall, from government office to rural farmland, from school hall to the street corner, we must all become ambassadors of peace and justice,” Archbishop Nwachukwu told ACI Africa on June 27.
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