Pope condemns Nigeria church bombings, offers St. Stephen as inspiration

(December 26, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday vehemently condemned attacks on churches across Nigeria on Christmas day saying violence leads only to pain, destruction and death. “May Holy Christmas instil in us a stronger prayer that God stop the violent hands that spread death, and that justice and peace may reign in the world,” the Pope said after reciting the midday ‘Angelus’ prayer with a large holiday crowd in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square. December 26, the liturgical feast of St. Stephen the first Christian martyr, is a holiday in the Vatican and Italy. The previous day, Christmas day, the Boko Haram Islamist sect of Nigeria set off a bomb in St. Teresa’s Church in Madalla, near the capital Abuja, killing 35 persons. The group also claimed a failed bombing attempt near a church in Jos and at a church in the northern town of Gadaka. Pope Benedict expressed deep sadness over the attacks saying “our earth continues to be soaked with innocent blood.” The Holy Father espressed his “sincere and affectionate closeness to the Christian communities and all those who are hit by the absurd act,” and urged for prayers for the victims. He appealed that with cooperation among the various components of society security and serenity may return. “At this moment I want to strongly repeat that violence is a way that leads only to pain, destruction and death,” the Pope said. “Respect, reconciliation and love are the way to peace,” he added. On Christmas day, Pope Benedict delivered a special message, appealing for peace in several troubled spots across the globe, including in Africa.
Before the ‘Angelus’ Pope Benedict shared a reflection on St. Stephen, a deacon and the Church’s first martyr. The Pope described Stephen as a man of prayer and evangelizer who, filled with the Holy Spirit, fearlessly carried out his ministry even to the point of embracing martyrdom. The Pope noted that while he was being stoned to death he offered his life to the Lord and prayed that his accusers and killers be pardoned. Generations later martyrs acquired an eminent status inspiring the Christians communities especially during great persecutions. This is why, the Pope explained, the Church honours them with titles such as “masters of virtues”, “living witnesses” and “silent messengers.”