Source: Agenzia Fides
“The Church should continue to correct the distorted historical narrative of fundamentalist’s ideology which identifies colonialism and Western civilisation with Christianity” say the Rectors of Seminaries of Nigeria in a document published at the end of a Committee Workshop held recently at the Spiritan School of Philosophy in Isienu, Nsukka.
The document titled Christian witness in the face of Islamic militancy, traces the history of Islam in Nigeria, underlining that in the nineteenth century the struggle against British colonisers by the Islamist preacher of the Fulani ethnic group, Uthman dan Fodio, “waved the flag of pure Islam and refused all Western Culture”.
A century and a half later, Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen continue the same ideological line. Boko Haram has committed “ceaseless attacks on churches and schools, communities and security agencies, leading to the loss of thousands of lives and property. And today Fulani herdsmen kill, plunder and occupy territories without the government being able to stop them”.
“These groups, according to the Rectors of Seminaries are motivated by the ideology that Islam has to rule in all spheres of life, and that all Western civilisation is antithetical to Islam and it is not possible for Islam to co-exist with democracy and with those they call infidels,” they added.
To counteract these trends, the Statement suggests fighting against ignorance “that plays a vital role in the history of fundamentalism”. “For this reason the Church and the government should continue to foster education at the grassroot and establish schools where they are not found”.
Christians should also promote policies of economic development, defence of democracy and fundamental human rights above all that of life, remaining united in professing their faith and bearing witness to the love of Christ.
