Oyo, 07 April, 2022 / 9:00 PM
Catholic Church leaders overseeing the department of Interreligious Dialogue in Nigeria’s Oyo Diocese have urged Christians and Muslims in the West African nation not to relent in fasting and praying “for a better Nigeria”.
In their Ramadan message shared with ACI Africa Thursday, April 7, Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo and Fr. Moses Alaba say God “must have a hand in the coincidence” of Lenten and Ramadan observances.
Lent began on Ash Wednesday, March 2 and is expected to end on Holy Thursday, April 14. The 30-day Ramadan that started April 2 and is scheduled to conclude on May 2 with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
“The Almighty Allah, who grants every good thing, must have a hand in the coincidence that you're beginning this unique spiritual exercise while Christians are still observing their annual fasting which we started a month ago,” the Local Ordinary of Oyo Diocese and the Director of Interreligious Dialogue in the Nigerian Diocese say in their collective message.
Bishop Badejo and Fr. Alaba add, “As Muslims and Christians, we must not relent in our collective effort, prayers and personal relationship with God especially in this Holy season.”
“Let our fasting and prayer make us work for a better Nigeria that we all desire,” the Nigerian Catholic Church leaders say.
Nigeria, they add, “is our own, our common heritage, and country. Let us seek for her unity, political stability, equity, true and good governance as we prepare earnestly for general elections early next year.”
In the statement, the two officials of Interreligious Dialogue in Oyo Diocese express the commitment of Catholics in the Nigerian Diocese to work with the Muslim faithful.
"As Catholics we are always ready and willing to work with you for unity, justice and good relationship," they say in the statement titled, “We Must Together Seek Justice, Peace and Development.”
Bishop Badejo and Fr. Alaba express their best wishes to Muslims saying, "Wishing you a fruitful and blessed month of Ramadan. Ramadan Kareem!!! Ma Salaam!!!"
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