Global Community Should Confront Bad Leaders, Stop Encouraging Immorality

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama on Sunday called on the international community to confront leaders who govern badly and pressurize them to fight poverty, diseases and immorality. 

He said that should be their priority rather than support for war, easier services for abortion and zealously promoting the rights of same-sex couples.

Kaigama who stated these in his Homily titled, “Divine Mercy”, delivered at Church of Annunciation, Arab Road in Kubwa, Abuja, challenged political leaders in Nigeria to ensure that nobody should go to bed hungry.

He prayed that bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, criminals and militant herdsmen experience the peace proclaimed by Jesus Christ and stop tormenting their fellow human beings.

Kaigama said, “Political leaders in Nigeria should ensure that nobody should go to bed hungry, feel unsafe in his/her environment or become so poor as to be unable to access the necessities of life: water, light, education, healthcare, food, shelter, etc.

“I imagine that the international community can put pressure on insensitive leaders who corruptly enrich themselves and provide no social security for their people, leave youths largely unemployed, and spend so much on governance. When can the rights of the poor, victims terrorized by religious bigots and terrorists, kidnappers, be put on the front burner of the hierarchy of priorities of the international community? 

“How I wish the international community would confront our leaders who govern badly and pressurize them to fight poverty, diseases and immorality. 

“Unfortunately, powerful nations seem to provide more support for war, easier services for abortion, zealously promoting the rights of same-sex couples, but weakly respond to the issues of poverty, hunger, and disease and a host of anomalies.

“Let us give God the first place (numero uno), even as we try to love and to be merciful to our neighbours and to uphold their dignity. May Mercy, peace, justice and love flow in Nigeria like a river.” 

According to him, Jesus has calls on humanity to be Instruments of God’s Mercy and peace, adding that by this, Jesus instituted the sacrament of His mercy, the sacrament of reconciliation and peace. 

Kaigama said, “May the bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, criminals, militant herdsmen, experience this peace and stop tormenting their fellow human beings.

“Today, we celebrate Divine Mercy feast. After Jesus’ resurrection, He bequeathed His disciples, the gift of His peace – the peace that the world cannot give, not even the United Nations, African Union, the European Union, or the powerful nations. 

“The world is unable to bring an end to the devastating wars in Ukraine and Gaza. In Nigeria, those kidnapped; the 17 murdered military personnel on March 14 2024, and many other unwholesome crimes seem to have become recurring realities. Countries spend so much on wars. And as these wars rage, so many people suffer, human life is endangered. 

“In West Africa, coups have resurfaced. Kudos to Senegal for democratically producing a young president despite the odds. As the young are given a chance, we hope they will prove themselves. 

Being young does not make one automatically an effective leader. It is not just about being young but imaginative, humble, and driven by genuine patriotism, having a sense of distributive justice and an attentiveness to God’s guiding Spirit.

“The message of today, calls us to be God’s instruments of mercy, love and peace. The disciples made themselves available for others and would not allow selfishness deprive the others of the love and mercy they deserve. They allowed themselves to be used by God to reach out to the needy. We too can and should do the same. This is the true spirit of Easter.”

Friday Olokor, Abuja 

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