Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Urges World Leaders to “stop hypocrisy, work for peace”

Making reference to the music album of Nigerian singer, Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, popularly known as Patoranking, Bishop Badejo says, “A few years ago, a young Nigerian by name Patoranking sang these touching words in his album “Heal the World”, indicting all leaders and sketching our pain and frustration”.

“Every corner its war and crisis…Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda and ISIS …Africa blessed with a lotta beautiful history. But these people make we feel like everything is a mystery,” the Nigerian Bishop says in reference to Patoranking’s album, “Heal the World.”

The words of the song by the Nigerian singer “are still so shamefully true today”, he says, and turning his attention to world leaders, urges sincerity and action to “save Nigeria”.

“I say to all our government and all leaders, ‘Your insincerity and inaction have done enormous damage to all, wake up and save Nigeria, this beautiful country and people from complete collapse. Make justice and peace to break out and save your name in history’”, the Local Ordinary of Nigeria’s Oyo Diocese who doubles as the President of the Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) says.

In his Easter Message shared with ACI Africa April 16, Bishop Badejo reflects on the importance of Easter.

He says, “Easter Sunday, is the celebration of that day when Jesus Christ rose from the dead changed the destiny of humanity and heralded our victory over sin and eternal death.”

“All must rejoice that sin and evil can be defeated. That includes the poor and the oppressed for Jesus is alive,” the Catholic Church leader who has been a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication since his appointment last December says.

He adds in reference to the application of Easter Sunday, “Tell the world that all the betrayal, the rejection, oppression, the lies and wickedness of the powerful people of this world will someday be defeated by justice and love.”

“Light will win, darkness will fail. Remember the two women who brought the news to the disciples were not rich or powerful people,” Bishop Badejo says in his Easter Message titled, “Life conquers death: God has done his part.”

“Easter Sunday answers all the painful questions of Good Friday. God is on the side of the poor and oppressed. Don’t lose hope,” he says.

Through the resurrection, Bishop Badejo continues, “God shows his power to deliver and to save humanity. Those who continue to block and seal the tomb in order to prevent the resurrection of reconciliation, peace, love, justice and harmony must change or be defeated.”

Those who continue to “seal the tomb”, he says, “are the reason for all the war, the suffering, the destruction and oppression which we see all around. Jesus brings assurance of final victory that the reign of falsehood, oppression, injustice and sin will not endure.”

The 60-year-old Nigerian Bishop who has been at the helm of Oyo Diocese since November 2009 further says, “All of us must spread the news that Jesus is alive. Let everybody else feel the joy of Easter.”

“All troubled, warring families, groups, communities and nations, for God’s sake, be reconciled with one another, drop your weapons,” he says.

Citing Pope Francis, the Nigerian Bishop implores, “Let us disarm all hands of brothers raised against brothers. There is a better way to live than that of violence, bloodshed; be at peace with everyone so that God may be pleased with us all.”

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Meanwhile, in his Easter 2022 Message, the National President of the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN), Hon. Sir Henry Yunkwap, has invited the people of God in Nigeria “to be people of hope and should remain prayerful for God’s intervention to the many challenges we are confronted with in the country.”

Sir Yunkwap calls upon members of the laity to “increase our love for one another rather than hate.”

“Let us show more patriotism as citizens of this great nation. We must have it that this is the only country we have and must do all it takes to make it habitable for all to live in irrespective of where we come from,” the Nigerian Catholic Lay leader says in his Easter Message shared with ACI Africa.

He notes that “Easter also evokes in us the resilience of the human spirit not to give up in life and in the face of the daunting challenges.”

“This period calls us to believe that the current spate of insecurity will soon unfold as a season of triumph of good over evil and light over darkness,” Sir Yunkwap further says. 

He continues, “Let us not forget about the sacrifice Jesus made by giving up himself for the salvation of all.”

“We must, as His followers, reciprocate the gesture by assisting the poor among us and giving alms to the needy. Above all, let us engage in self-examination and repentance of sins believing that He will hear us, forgive all our shortcomings and heal our land,” CLCN President says. 

He implores, “I pray that in this season of rebirth, may you feel your faith renewed and your heart made new. May the glory and the promise of this joyous season, bring peace and happiness to you and your loved ones.”