Prominent Christian cleric, His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja has asserted that killing people while shouting God’s name is not religion.
Onaiyekan pointed out that most of those making reference to religion are talking about war which is not right.
Speaking in Abuja, the Cardinal said religion should be presented in a way that promotes peace.
He said, “They even blame religion for our situation. But my position is that true religion must be about peace.
“Whatever you do, even if you shout the name of God a thousand times, and you are hurting your neighbour and killing the innocent, that is not religion.”
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“If religion is presented in a way that is not peaceful, then it cannot succeed in bringing the peace we expect. Many talk religion but are talking war and conflict.”
Recall that Cardinal Onaiyekan had a few weeks ago lambasted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chairman Mahmood Yakubu of misleading Nigerians and not being honest in the conduct of the 2023 elections.
The Cardinal who was speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the 10th anniversary celebration of the Jesuit Memorial College had some very scathing words for the way things are done in the country.
He is insisting that actions have consequences and there must be a paramount change.
‘We should refuse to agree that this is a country where certificates are forged and it is okay. We should refuse to accept a situation where elections are rigged and you are told to go to court. These things have consequences. Jesus says you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free. Accept that they have a very heavy trust deficit,’ he said at the Saturday event in the Rivers State capital.
‘Nothing wrong with admitting did not go so well. If we don’t tell the truth, we will not move forward.
‘I am a religious person and I keep praying to God to forgive us and to show us the truth because if we tell the truth, things will move fast. Nigerians are wonderful and I still hope that things will move fast.’
While INEC declared Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 2023 presidential election and the opposition is challenging his win in the court, the clergyman maintains truth should prevail.