Catholic Church Urges Nigerians to Unite Against Crime, Corruption
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has called for unity in combating the wave of criminality and corruption currently hitting the nation.
It said that now is not a time for the politics of religion or tribe, adding that the issue at the moment “is between good and evil”.
The Secretary-General of the CSN, Rev. Fr. Zacharia Samjumi, said during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.
The CSN Secretary General who was represented by his Deputy, Fr. Michael Banjo, called on the Federal Government to take action against the scourge of corruption and insecurity in national interest.
“While we are not allowed to go into the field to provide the necessary military power to secure the nation, we appeal to the consciences of government officials when we meet with them.
“We appeal to the government to fulfill its primary duties of securing lives and properties,”
Apart from insecurity, the CSN also expressed concerns about corruption,
He also spoke of the critical role of family in moulding societal values.
Banjo highlighted the intrinsic link between the health of family units and the state of the nation.
He said, “Whatever is happening in society is a reflection of the situation in families, as families are the building blocks of society,” he remarked, underscoring the church’s limited capacity to directly influence each family’s role in raising children away from criminal activities.”
Addressing issues within the Church itself, Fr. Banjo acknowledged the challenges posed by ‘irregular communions’ and emphasised the need for ongoing dialogue to bridge divisions and promote inclusivity.
He advocated a sincere dialogue that respects the dignity of every Nigerian and promotes national unity despite cultural differences.
The Director of Social Communications at the CSN, Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh, described the current societal challenges in Nigeria as overwhelming and stressed the crucial role of media as allies in navigating these tumultuous times.
He condemned the killing of children in schools and defined the current insecurity situation as a battle between good and evil, stressing the urgency of ensuring safety for children in educational institutions.
Speaking on corruption, the Deputy Executive Secretary of Caritas Nigeria, Fr. Peter Babangida Audu, criticised the lack of accountability for corrupt individuals, questioning the absence of legal consequences for those implicated in crimes.
“It is essential to uphold justice. Only by holding wrongdoers accountable can we address the issue of corruption”, he said and expressed frustration over the EFCC chairman’s revelation of a religious sect sponsoring insurgency without disclosing names, challenging the nation to confront and directly address such criminal activities.
He said, “The issue of what was said about the religious body involved is part of the whole problem. If you (EFCC) know of a religious body involved in sponsoring terrorism but are not ready to mention its name, why mention it at all? Why are we protecting criminals if we are sure they are guilty? Let us address the issues confronting us and deal with them directly.
“Sometimes people are not prosecuted, and then we discover that someone made a phone call. Let us address corruption as it arises.” The Director of the Church and Society Department at the CSN, Revd. Fr. Uchechukwu Obodoechina, said that the church’s involvement in education support could help address some underlying causes of insecurity in the long run by empowering communities.
