By Anan Geolengs
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has called on Christians and Muslims to cooperate to build a better Nigeria.
Okoh made the call in a goodwill message at the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
Speaking at the Programme themed; “Shared Sacred Flourishing in Nigeria”,
he said the focus was timely and profound as it takes interfaith conversation beyond managing religious differences to asking fundamental question of how people of different faiths can contribute together to flourishing of society they share.
He explained that shared sacred flourishing does not suggest that Christians and Muslims must abandon, blend or compromise their distinctive beliefs.
He said it recognises that each faith tradition has its own understanding of sacred and its own vision of human and societal flourishing.
“What we can share is commitment to allowing values that flow from our respective encounters with sacred love, compassion, mercy, justice, forgiveness, service and concern for others to contribute to common good,” he said.
Okoh said shared flourishing was relational, adding that no one truly flourishes in isolation.
“Our wellbeing is connected to wellbeing of our neighbour, our community and our nation.
“We flourish when dignity of others is protected, when vulnerable are cared for, when justice is upheld, when communities live in peace and when institutions serve common good,” he said.
He said the nation continues to face insecurity, poverty, unemployment, inequality, communal tensions and crisis of trust, noting that challenges were too great to be approached from isolated religious or sectional perspectives.
“As religious leaders, we must ask ourselves: what kind of Nigeria are we helping to create through our words, our actions and our influence?” he asked.
CAN president said churches, mosques and religious institutions possess enormous moral and social influence which could be used to build bridges, promote reconciliation and encourage followers to pursue common good.
He said shared sacred flourishing must find expression in practical action, including peacebuilding, education, youth development, humanitarian assistance, poverty reduction, ethical leadership, environmental responsibility and protection of vulnerable people.
He said goal was not simply to talk about peace, but to become partners in building society in which every person has opportunity to live with dignity and hope.
Okoh said flourishing Nigeria cannot be measured only by economic growth, infrastructure or material prosperity.
He said it must also be measured by security of people, dignity accorded to every citizen, opportunities available to young people, protection of vulnerable, respect for freedom of religion, justice and strength of institutions.
“Above all, we must affirm sacredness of human life. Suffering of a Christian should concern a Muslim, just as suffering of a Muslim should concern a Christian,” he said.
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