A new world order to curb religious violence

Bishop Joseph Bagobiri of Kafanchan Diocese in Nigeria has called for a “new world order, where the human family lives in peace, freedom, harmony and love, freed from violence, better still, freed from violence inspired by and motivated by religion.”

The Bishop’s call is contained in a paper that he presented at an international congress whose theme was,'Defending religious freedom and other human rights: Stopping mass atrocities against Christians and other believers.’  Various experts and witnesses of the atrocities suffered by Christians and other religious minorities in Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria were invited to speak at the congress. The congress held in New York was organised by CitizenGO and was co-sponsored by the Holy See.

Speaking extensively on atrocities by Boko Haram and other Islamic fundamentalists such ISIS, Bishop Bagobiri outlined three different approaches or responses adopted by Christians in his country when faced with such atrocities. These include: A pacifist approach, direct reprisal attacks and the use of proportionate force as a deterrent to protect Christians from becoming victims of mass murder (genocide).

According to Bishop Bagobiri, the third option, described as the legitimate use of force in self-defence “could be described as moderately pacifist. He added, “It combines spiritual variables such as fasting, praying, repentance, but in addition, the readiness to employ the use of reasonable and proportionate force as a way of self-defence, self-protection and as an act of deterrence to the occurrence of greater and unimaginable evil that could take the character of genocide,” he said.

Bishop Bagobiri expressed dismay that Christians were not taught to be courageous and fearless in the face of persecution.

“If Christians are not educated to be fearless and courageous in the face of persecution, and where necessary employ legitimate and proportionate means of self-defence in their various communities, then sooner or later they will become an endangered species.” He added that, a “faith-inspired resistance of evil will serve the cause of the gospel or at least save and protect some life and property from death and destruction, rather than that of flight, acquiescence, self-surrendering as is often promoted by those who adore martyrdom,” Bishop Bagobiri said.

The Bishop said he accepted that there was a place for Christians to be open to persecution and martyrdom when these become absolutely necessary to bear witness to Christ. He, however, was of the view that Christians should not go in search of martyrdom.

 “Neither should we behave in a manner that creates the impression that the drivers and actors of unwarranted violence on the Church are helping the Church, by their atrocities, to live the gospel,” Bishop Bagobiri emphasised.

The Bishop was nonetheless quick to stress that all this should not be construed as Christians fighting Islam and Muslims but rather Christians resisting Islamists and extremists. 

(CNSNg.org)

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