Pulse.ng : Clergyman urges Churches to regenerate missionary spirit, promote dialogue, educ. for peace, dev’t

By Sani Idris

Fr. Atta Barkindo, the Director, Kukah Centre, has called on Churches to regenerate missionary spirit, promote dialogue, education and actively participate in politics to promote democracy, peace and development in Nigeria.

Barkindo made the call on Wednesday while presenting a paper at the Third Theology Week of Good Shepherd Major, Seminary in Kaduna.

The theme of the paper was ‘Nationalism, Patriotism and National Unity: Hallmarks for Peace and Development in Nigeria’.

Barkindo, who doubles as the Head of Secretariat, National Peace Committee (NPC), said that to achieve peace and development in Nigeria was much more than trying to promote nationalism, patriotism, and national unity.

He lamented that Nigeria has experienced all forms of violent conflict before and after its independence in 1960.

Barkindo also lamented that conflicts had destroyed the foundation of nationhood, deepened the culture of impunity and complete lack of accountability.

He, therefore, said that to address the challenges to drive peace and development, Nigeria needed to first enthrone the rule of law, accountability, end the culture of impunity, promote
common citizenship, and manage diversity.

“To achieve this, the Church and her
theologians have a role to play,”he said.

Barkindo urged that the Church must return to being the church
for the poor and the underprivileged.

He added that missionaries must read, understand
and appreciate the context of societies they serve, the historical, cultural and
linguistic situation of the people, while serving them from within and
supporting them in their struggles.

On education, said that the Church must return to taking the education of the communities they serve seriously, not only western forms but critical education that respects family and community values,
protecting the dignity of the human person.

“Our education systems must
involve common religious studies,”he said.

Speaking further, the director stressed the need for a change of strategy in the way
and manner inter-religious dialogue was studied and conducted.

“There has to be rigorous study and understanding of the other. Platforms for constant
engagement must be created, dialogue forums to counter extremism and intolerance in local communities must be created.

“We must also teach our lay faithful to actively participate in politics to promote democracy.

”The driving force of democracy is that it presents us with the best instruments for managing our
diversity, creating inclusiveness, and breaking down the boundaries of exclusion.

“We must be at the table and be part of the decision-making process to enhance a pluralistic society,”Barkindo said.

Also presenting a paper, Magaji Ibrahim, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said Nigeria since independence is still confused with many issues internal
and external to governance and leadership.

The title of the paper was ‘Nigeria’s History vis-a-vis Nationalism, Patriotism, and National Unity for Peace and Development’.

Ibrahim lamented that the issues faced by Nigeria were swept under the carpet, mentioning a few notable ones to be ethnicity, minority complaints, violence, and growing corruption.

He also lamented the existence of mutual suspicion and ethnic jingoism that have also deprived Nigerians of all sense of reasoning as a people.

“Sense of justice and fairness have also been traded to the wind as a result of non-
patriotic and un-nationalistic abnormality. Yet we laugh and hug in public and plot against each
other when we retire to our ethno-religious enclaves.

“Once in a while, this mistrust finds
ridiculous expression among our people as we witness bloodbaths, ethno-religious contempt for
each other,”he decried.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria added that by implication, development was impeded in virtually all parts of the country and there appeared to be nothing to be proud of in almost all spheres, apart from cases of personal
achievements of few spirited citizens.

Ibrahim said, “Basic amenities are lacking in all areas. There is a need for individuals to participate at various levels of nationalism.”

He stressed that when individuals are filled with strong feelings and concern for the growth, peace and development
of Nigeria, there would be a national unity and love for one another.

Ibrahim, therefore, said that for Nigerians not to let the labour of their heroes go in vain, everyone must embrace the spirit of nationalism and patriotism to
ensure national unity among the various ethnic groups, cultures and religious differences.

“Doing so, peace and development will continue to exist within our dear country,”he said.(NAN)