For over a week, I have been in the news on the basis of multiple claims that I had said that there was no persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
implied a denial of the fate of Christians.
Over the years, I have spoken extensively on the theme of persecution of Christians and have argued then, as now, that by whatever name we choose to call or describe our predicament, the bloodshed needs to end as soon as yesterday because our common humanity is at stake. The government and its security agencies have an urgent responsibility to bring the perpetrators to account. It is their neglect of this duty or their failure to accomplish it that detains us all in an appearance of disagreement without difference.
As a people, I believe we owe ourselves the collective duty to regain our humanity, not as perpetual victims but as equal citizens of our land. Too many innocent souls have been lost, too much blood shed and our children and citizens are in captivity. Amidst the nadir of this pain, it is important that we focus on reclaiming the soul of our nation.
I am deeply sorry for the unnecessary distraction. These moments are too serious for us to equivocate. This is not the time for us to retreat or be distracted. This is a contest that we must win. The journey may be painful. We may falter along the way but we will only reach our destination by learning our lessons, standing up even when we stumble, and always keeping our eyes on the ultimate prize – peace for our country, justice for those injured, and reconciliation for our people.
This is a struggle that I have committed most of my pastoral and intellectual life to. It is a struggle in which I pray that, by clinging to the old rugged cross, we can one day exchange it for a crown. So, let us all get back on the road, especially as the spirit of Bethlehem beckons.
Matthew Hassan Kukah is the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria.
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