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.