Catholic Bishops in Benue, Taraba seek face of God over insecurity

Catholic Bishops in Benue and Taraba on Sunday converged at the St. Edward De Confessor Catholic Parish, Kashimbila in Takum local government area of Taraba state to pray for God’s intervention.

The prayer pilgrimage for reconciliation, peace and unity was attended by the Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, The Most Rev. Dr. Charles Hammawa, Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Rev. Dr. Peter Adoboh and Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Rev. Dr. Williams Amove Avenya who is also the Secretary of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria, (CBCN).

The bishops unanimously told the gathering that the prayer pilgrimage was not politically motivated, but was conceived out of genuine concern to look for ways of ensuring a peaceful coexistence among the creatures of God irrespective of their differences.

In his homily at the occasion, Bishop Charles Hammawa of Jalingo Diocese condemned insecurity in parts of the country which has resulted to the death of many and destruction of lives and property.

He lamented that crisis has not done anyone any good, but rather bring underdevelopment, hatred and suspicion, adding that in Taraba, crises among the ethnic groups have brought underdevelopment which will take the state time to catch up with other states in terms of development.

“Time has come for us to turn our sour relationship that has ravaged our society into friendship for peace and progress of our society.

“We must be ready to let go our pains and grievances as we cannot claim to be at peace with God when we not at peace with our brothers and sisters,” he said.

Hammawa called on the government to hold town hall meetings across the country especially in the troubled areas on the need for the people to live in peace with one another and stop the continuous killings going on in the country.

He reminded politicians on the need to promote peace in their communities, saying those who promote violence but manipulate the laws for cover up will not manipulate God on the judgement day.

Sarkin Hausawa in Kashimbila Alhaji Zakari Musa and the Chief of Kashimbila John Diokam in their separate remarks thanked the Bishops for the peace initiative, describing at first of its kind in the country and urged the people to support the peace move.

It could be recalled that the Bishops had last year embark on the peace move to check frequent clashes among the people of Benue and Taraba, before the escalation of the herdsmen attacks in Taraba, Benue and other parts of the country.