NIGERIA: Jos archbishop asks 'Where is government?'

http://tinyurl.com/ylbe8tf
March 9, 2010

Following the murder of more than 500 people in the latest shocking violence in the Jos area, we reproduce here in its entirety an open letter from the Rt Rev Benjamin Kwashi, Archbishop of Jos. He describes local peace moves and rails against lack of government action

January 17th was a Sunday morning and as usual Christians left their homes to congregate in churches to worship. That day has since become a remarkable day in history with sad memories for Christian and Muslim communities in Jos and its environs. A few days after that, leaders began to gather to see how to resolve what the perceived problems, or real problems, or even imaginary problems were. I myself became a part of a group with industrialists, businessmen and women, academics and religious leaders, both Christian and Muslim, to discuss these matters. We even spent a day at a forum listening to elders and religious leaders in Jos and spent another day listening to the youth. In all the conversations the Christians and Muslims spoke up frankly and aired their understanding of the grievances they have. We are in the process of putting together ideas as to how to move forward.

News then broke on Sunday 7th March that two other villages plus Dogo na Hauwa had been attacked by Muslim Fulani from about 3am to 5am. Some of these communities may never again be recognised in history because generations have been wiped out. Hundreds of corpses of men, women, children and grandchildren littered the burnt houses, roads, bush paths, farm areas and hiding places. Tears and endless wailings until voices croaked and words are no more.

Is there no other way by which matters can be resolved except through this sadistic and cruel way of making peoples' lives miserable? For me, as a Christian, human life is so sacred that no-one, absolutely no-one, should tamper with it, no matter what religious faith you belong to.

Human life is so sacred and we have to teach and train people to value it: it is a gift from God.

What bothers my heart are a few questions:

* It was curfew time when these attackers came in and carried out their heinous activities. Who are responsible for these areas? What happened to those who should enforce the curfew? The purpose of the curfew is to stop events like this.

* Failure of government to provide full security for its citizenry leaves a people with very little option but to provide for their own kind of security. History has shown that these kinds of security are bred in vengeance, retaliation, bitterness, hatred and malice. This gives birth to an almost endless cycle of senseless violence as can be seen in many nations of the world today. Where is our government in all the levels of governance? Where were they on this night? Where were they on 17th January? Shall we continue to have the ugly sight of mass burials? Are there no leaders who fear God, who will swallow their pride and choose to be humble before God for the sake of those faces of slaughtered children?

* The new dimension these attacks are assuming is revealing a system of well-trained terror groups who rights now have attacked these villages, and only God knows which community will be next. Their merciless precision and fearlessness should give any government serious concern. The earlier that these kinds of groups are rounded up, the better for everybody. I know as of fact of many Christian religious, political and community leaders who are willing and prepared peacefully to arrive at workable conditions for people to live with. I also know as of fact that there are Muslim religious, political and community leaders who are willing to find solutions.

I am convinced that the prayers of the church world-wide are ascending like a sweet smelling sacrifice to the throne of mercy. It is my firm determination to encourage all who trust in the Lord to keep praying and never give up. One day God will enthrone good over evil, truth over lies, righteousness over wickedness and justice over injustice. It may be soon; it may be later, but "My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary". I urge believers to clean and clear their minds of any form of bitterness, resentment or even any thought of vengeance against one another from within the fellowship, and then we can see clearly how to respond in times of difficulty such as this one.

The promises of the Lord are true and the way of the Lord is just. The good news is: we do not have anywhere else to turn to. In the words of the apostle Peter, in John6:68: "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." These times call for a full turning of our hearts and lives to the Lord.

The Lord be with you,

+The Most Rev Dr BA Kwashi
Archbishop of Jos, Nigeria

*****

Nigerian Anglican Archbishop grieves for lost generations after attacks on Christians

by Ethan Cole
Christian Post
http://www.christiantoday.com/
March 11, 2010

The Nigerian Anglican Archbishop who oversees the area where more than 500 people were recently killed has urged people to understand the sacredness of human life.

"Some of these communities may never again be recognised in history because generations have been wiped out," said the Rt Rev Benjamin Kwashi, Anglican Archbishop of Jos, Nigeria, in a statement.

"Hundreds of corpses of men, women, children and grandchildren littered the burned houses, roads, bush paths, farm areas and hiding places," he said.

This past weekend, two predominantly Christian villages in the Jos area were attacked by machete-wielding Muslim extremists. At a superficial level the violence appears to be religiously motivated, with some locals saying the most recent violence was revenge for attacks on Muslims in January.

Others say the conflict has been fuelled in part by competition over resources, land, and jobs in the poverty-stricken area.

"Is there no other way by which matters can be resolved except through this sadistic and cruel way of making peoples' lives miserable?" Archbishop Kwashi asked. "For me, as a Christian, human life is so sacred that no one, absolutely no one, should tamper with it, no matter what religious faith you belong to."

The Archbishop said people need to be taught that human life is sacred because it is a gift from God.

Pope Benedict XVI added his voice to international outcry against the slaughter on Wednesday, describing the violence as "atrocious". He called on leaders "to work towards security and peaceful co-existence".

"Violence does not resolve conflicts but only increases the tragic consequences," he said.

Some 8,000 Nigerians have also been displaced in the Jos area because of the conflict, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Archbishop Kwashi and villagers have strongly criticised the government's inaction during the massacre. He said there was an enforced curfew in the area, but wondered why no security had been available to prevent the violence from occurring.

Open Doors USA president/CEO Carl Moeller said violence against Christians in the Jos area has increased since the beginning of the year.

"Please pray with me for peace to come to this region of Nigeria," Moeller said. "Pray that the violence will not spread. And pray for wisdom for acting President Goodluck Jonathan." Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, is roughly evenly split between Muslims and Christians.

END