A Catholic official in northeastern Nigeria has asked the Borno state government to pay for 11 Christian churches burned by Islamic extremists.Father Heladuwa John William, administrator of the Diocese of Maiduguri, also said it was wrong to conclude that the five days of violence in late July were not related to religion because "no single mosque was reportedly damaged."
Father William made the appeal Aug. 1 and chronicled the violence in Borno, Bauchi, Yobe and Kano states.
Red Cross and military officials said that in Maiduguri alone, more than 700 people were killed in an uprising by Boko Haram, an extremist Islamic group that opposes Western education and insists on the imposition of Shariah, or Islamic law.
The violence began July 26 in the city of Bauchi, when Boko Haram members staged attacks after the arrest of some of its members.
In his statement, released to journalists Aug. 3, Father William said the exact number of the dead in metropolitan Maiduguri was difficult to prove since there was no formal procedure for recording deaths.
"People are of the view that between 1,500 and 3,000 persons lost their lives during the unfortunate incidents," he said, adding that 300 bodies were buried July 29 when it was discovered that some had begun to decompose. "From the railway terminus itself, which is the main place of battle, over 600 bodies of the dead were collected.
"All this number does not include the corpses that were collected by individuals and those who were buried by the disciples of Sheik Mohammed Yusuf," he added, referring to the founder of Boko Haram who was killed by police July 30.
"Those who are badly affected are the Christians, not even the government. Since it is a fact that Christians, particularly the Catholic Church, are never compensated for anything, they -- especially Catholics -- will be left alone to suffer their loss and mourn their dead," he said.
Father William has been administering the Maiduguri Diocese until the ordination of Bishop-designate Oliver Dashe Doeme Aug. 13.
On July 30, Nigeria's Catholic bishops said it was "regrettable that the activities of the Boko Haram movement ... have caused untold hardships and the loss of innocent lives and properties."
"We condemn any religious movement that would subvert the progress that has been made in education and technology in Nigeria and at the same time thwart law and order," said the bishops' statement.
"We condemn a descent to religious fanaticism that would destroy our national peace and stability," the bishops said.
They identified poverty as the cause of current and previous violent hostilities in the country and advised the government to take urgent steps to help the poor.
"In this way, we can overcome personal and community frustrations and youth unemployment, which undermine most of the efforts of peace, justice and reconciliation in our country," they said.
The bishops called for a new beginning devoid of hatred.
"As religious bodies, we must support one another and contribute to the growth and development of our country anchored on mutual respect and interest for the future," they said.
"It is because of this that we must style our daily life to reflect the great teaching of Christ, who came so that we human beings might have life and have it more abundantly."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to us or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that we agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
SIC: CNS