Nigerian Bishops: “In the Face of Boko Haram, Nation is in Danger”

The Bishops of Nigeria say they receive daily accounts from around the country of "mass slaughter" of Christians carried out by Islamist terrorists.

​"In the face of Boko Haram group and other criminal militias, the nation is in danger," the bishops warn in a statement issued at the end of their second Plenary Meeting, held in Warri.

"Our Second Annual Plenary meeting in Warri Diocese, Delta State, has been daily strained by first-hand and horrifying reports reaching us from Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Kano and Kaduna states about the mass slaughter of fellow Nigerians; the burning and sacking of whole villages and churches and rectories. Families and individuals are forced to seek places of refuge outside their invaded homes and lands."

The situation is so serious that, as reported in the message, "one of our bishops from those zones of current tragedy , had to leave our meeting abruptly because of thousands of refugees that had flocked to his cathedral and its premises expecting protection and feeding from the bishop and his diocese."

In the face of such a serious situation, the bishops warn that "every Nigerian community at local and state levels to be alert to the grave danger facing all of us and our nation from within and from without. The issue is not about who becomes president or governor or senator after the 2015 General Elections. The issue is about the life and security of every one of us who loves his or her life and really cares about our living together in peace as noble Nigerians."

The message points out is that "while Muslims are sometimes targets of these destructive attacks, Christians, churches and non-Muslims in general are the principal targets for extermination, expropriation and expulsion by the Boko Haram insurgents."

The Bishops have mandated Caritas Nigeria to provide funds and assistance to all affected peoples and have called for a national prayer November 13-14.

"These are critical times for our country and everyone in position of authority must do everything possible to save our dear country, Nigeria," the message concludes.