African Archbishop wins Pax Christi International Peace award for 2012

August 15, 2012: The 2012 Pax Christi International Peace award has gone to Archbishop Dr. John Onaiyekan of Abuja, for his efforts in promoting understanding between people of different faiths through dialogue in Africa, and particularly in his country, Nigeria. He will be honoured in Mechelen/Brussels on Wednesday 31 October 2012.
Archbishop Onaiyekan’s consistent and tireless efforts in advocating for justice, peace, inter-religious dialogue and action earned him the award, revealed a press release. His work in Nigeria and other African countries, as the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, the Co-Chair for the African Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace (ACRL – RfP), and immediate former Co-Chair of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) immensely and conspicuously contributed to peace. Since 1994, John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan has been the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.

The Co-Presidents of Pax Christi International Ms. Marie Dennis, USA, and Bishop of Rustenburg, South Africa, Bishop Kevin Dowling commended Archbishop Dr. Onaiyekan for the important role he has played in building bridges between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria and beyond.


Pax Christi International makes it a point to honour men and women who stand up for peace, justice and non-violence in different parts of the world. Accordingly it makes an annual peace award to a contemporary figure who is working against violence and injustice, usually at the grassroots level.