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| Pope Francis |
Pope Francis has called for a halt “to the brutal terrorist attacks in Nigeria,” adding that Boko Haram must be stopped, Reuters reports.
The Pope also asked for an end to violence in Syria, Iraq, Venezuela, South Sudan and the Central Africa Republic
The Pope said this in his Easter address before a huge crowd, on Sunday.
The 77-year-old clergyman called on the international community to “boldly negotiate the peace long awaited and long overdue” in Syria, where more than 150,000 people had been killed in the civil war, a third of them civilians. Millions have fled the country.
“We pray in a particular way for Syria, that all those suffering the effects of the conflict can receive needed humanitarian aid and that neither side will again use deadly force, especially against the defenceless civil population.”
Francis asked God to “enlighten and inspire the initiatives that promote peace in Ukraine so that all those involved, with the support of the international community, will make every effort to prevent violence and, in the spirit of unity and dialogue, chart a path for the country’s future.”
He also denounced the “immense wastefulness” in the world while many go hungry.
He prayed to God to “help us to overcome the scourge of hunger, aggravated by conflicts and by the immense wastefulness for which we are often responsible”.
Since his election as the first non-European pope in 1,300 years, Francis has made defence of the poor a hallmark of his papacy, often criticising developed nations and the excesses of capitalism and consumerism.
He prays for the protection of those members of society who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and abandonment – women, children, the elderly and immigrants.
Meanwhile, Christians in Abuja joined other faithful around the world on Sunday to observe Easter with prayers for peace in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the clergy and faithful in churches within the FCT marked the day with special prayers for Nigerian leaders.
Clergymen in different church services also called on Nigerians, especially those in leadership positions to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, faith and reconciliation with God.
At the All Christian Pentecostal Mission, Maitama, former State House Chaplain and General Overseer of the church, Rev. William Okoye, urged faithful to be willing to make sacrifices to advance the cause of the society.
He said Christians including those in exalted positions in the society must insist on doing the right things at all times.
“The lesson for every one of us as we celebrate Easter is to take advantage of the season to live in God’s honour instead of destroying ourselves,’’ he said.
At St. Matthews Anglican Church, Gwarimpa, Canon Ephriam Akanya, said Easter had brought the message of hope to all Christians.
According to Akanya, the resurrection of Christ is the most remarkable thing that has ever happened in Christianity.
“Without the resurrection of Christ, there is no Christianity, the power of his resurrection has given us hope and victory over the forces of darkness,” he said.
He said Christ’s death and resurrection were a demonstration of God’s love for mankind, noting that Christians must reciprocate God’s love through reconciliation and unwavering faith in him.
In the same vein, clergymen at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Garki and Church of Assumption Parish, Asokoro, admonished faithful on the need for total submission to God’s will.
Rev. Fr Mark Okoi of the Church of Assumption said accepting Christ’s resurrection from the dead was a precondition for salvation.
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