The West should recognise the genocide of Nigeria’s Christians
by Caroline Cox, Conservative Home:
A “genocide” is how one bishop recently described the situation facing the persecuted Christians of Nigeria.
More than 40 Christians were killed when extremists opened fire during the Pentecost Sunday Mass at St Francis Xavier Church, Owo in Bishop Jude Arogundade’s diocese of Ondo. His resolute commitment to peace and justice gained international attention after the gun attack at a packed church in his diocese this summer.
The attack was one of the worst of many to befall a Christian community in Nigeria. It was particularly shocking as it took place in southern Nigeria, well away from conflict hotspots in the Middle Belt and Borno state in north-east Nigeria.
Reflecting on the scale of violence raging in his country, Bishop Jude said: “I say a genocide is taking pace. There is a concerted effort to drive Christians out of their lands by various means, including kidnapping and killing of lay people and priests, stealing land belonging to Christians and attacking churches during services.”
ACN figures show that more than 7,600 Christians in Nigeria have been killed in acts of terrorism and other violence within just 18 months amid growing concern about the country’s security situation. These attacks are focused and premeditated, often targeting priests, pastors, church attendees and church infrastructure. I have seen it for myself.
The United Nations defines genocide as “any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group:
See also:
Persecution of Christians worldwide is getting worse, report warns, from Christian Today:
Christians who live in parts of the world that enjoy peace and religious freedom must speak up for the suffering Church in the face of increasing persecution.
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