2014-09-18 14:57:00

Bishop of Maiduguri on Boko Haram: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?


(Vatican Radio) Faced with the threat of Boko Haram, the Bishop of Maiduguri says nothing shall separate his people from the love of Christ.

Boko Haram are now said to be only 71 kilometres away from the major town of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in Northeast Nigeria. As they swiftly advance, the Islamist militants are leaving behind a trail of destruction, death and immense suffering. In a detailed situation statement to his brother-Bishops of Nigeria, the Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Oliver Dashe Doeme paints a distressing picture of the situation obtaining on the ground.

“Many of our people are being killed and forced out of their ancestral homes, villages and towns,” says Bishop Doeme. According to him, thousands have managed to escape to mountain caves or into neighbouring Cameroon where they are now living under very difficult conditions of lack of food, shelter and medication.

Bishop Doeme points out that both Christians and Muslims are being killed and both communities are suffering as a result of the inimical activities of Boko Haram. The Bishop is however quick to add that nevertheless there is a deep religious under-tone to the insurgency by the Islamist militants. He says, “We might shy away from it, we may decide to be silent and not speak up or speak out against the plan to Islamise the Northeast and eventually the whole of Nigeria but that is the reality on the ground.” Bishop Doeme says.

The Bishop further reports that, “Right now we have close to twenty (20) priests taking refuge in the Diocese of Yola. Thank God for our Brother–Bishop, Stephen Dami Mamza who has been kind enough to accept and assign our priests to parishes within  his diocese where they can at least eat and sleep,” Bishop Doeme says.

Bishop Doeme also details over fifteen (15) parishes (not to count the outstations) and rectories that have been torched, looted or taken over by Boko Haram. A newly-constructed Church hospital in Pulka, Borno State, has been burnt to ashes while priests and minor seminarians of Pius X Shuwa seminary escaped an attack by Boko Haram. The Augustinian sisters in the vicinity have been forced to abandon their convent, novitiate and clinic. The list of atrocities by Boko Haram against the people in the Northeast of Nigeria and against Christians seems endless.

Bishop Doeme has no kind words for the Federal Government of Nigeria. He says, “The bottom line is that the government and our political leaders have failed us and we have lost total trust and confidence in our government.” He goes on to say, “Imagine, in one of the Northeastern States, while people were being killed and slaughtered, politicians were busy organising for primary elections -probably to come and rule over monkeys and apes after the people have been killed and wiped out,” Bishop Doeme bitterly observed. He says, he is shocked at what he terms as, “The total disconnect and insensitivity of our (Nigerian) leaders to the plight of their citizens.”

With regard to the military, Bishop Doeme says, “What is very worrying and discouraging in the whole scenario, is the attitude of the military whom we mortgage and depend on for security. In the face of Boko Haram attacks they flee and ask civilians to do the same.”

Bishop Doeme is of the view that the Nigerian Government “should swallow empty pride” and ask for international assistance in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency which began in 2009. He continued, “After all, in the past, Nigeria has been assisting other countries and nations restore peace and order. Why do we feel that it is humiliating to ask for help now that our own house is on fire?” Bishop Doeme asks.

In spite of the challenges in his diocese, Bishop Doeme thanks all those who are praying for the diocese and for the people in Northeast Nigeria. He says, “I as the chief shepherd of the Diocese of Maiduguri, the priests and the lay faithful feel the warmth of your prayers and solidarity. We are committed to witness to the Gospel and to pay the price when the time comes.” He concludes by saying, “like St Paul, I can hear the echo of the voices of my people in Maiduguri Diocese saying: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”

(Fr. Paul Samasumo)   e-mail: engafrica@vatiradio.va

 








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