(Vatican Radio) The Nigerian government says it has started informal talks with the
Islamic Boko Haram group, which has claimed responsibility for the killing of hundreds
of people in attacks against Christian churches and other targets – all as a part
of its campaign to establish Islamic rule in the country. A presidential spokesman
confirmed the dialogue is being conducted through "backroom channels", after the main
Boko Haram faction earlier ruled out peace talks. The Archbishop of the central Nigerian
city of Jos, Paul Kaigama recently told Vatican Radio that Christians throughout Africa
have always faced great difficulty. “Certainly, there is a struggle for Christians
to survive,” he said. “Remember North Africa, which was once very Christian: now we
wake up and Christians are in the minority.” Archbishop Kaigama went on to say, “If
we do not take time, this is going to happen [here] – the Islamic community is very,
very feverish about their religion, and they are willing to do everything possible
to promote and protect their religion.” “Christians,” he said on the other hand, “both
in Africa and in the West, seem to have [a] lackadaisical attitude, and sometimes
we even end up being the harshest critics of Christianity.” Listen: