1. PREAMBLE
We, the Bishop, Priests, Religious and the Lay Faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, held our 20th General Assembly at St Charles Borromeo Pastoral Centre, Shavon, Mile Six, Jalingo, from 28th March – 1st April 2022. Having prayerfully reflected and deliberated on the theme: “CATHOLIC ACTION” AND OUR TASK OF BUILDING JALINGO DIOCESE, we hereby issue this Communiqué.
2. GRATITUDE
We are grateful to God for his abundant blessings upon us and for achievements recorded in the Diocese since the last General Assembly held in 2019. In the year 2020 the Diocese successfully celebrated her 25th Anniversary and 2nd Synod amidst the challenges of the corona virus pandemic and restrictions placed by the Government. This year, the Diocese commissioned Our Lady Queen of Peace Hospital, Shavon, Mile Six, built to improve health care service delivery to the public.
3. THE CHRISTIAN LAY FAITHFUL AND POLITICS
Nigeria returned to democracy 23 years ago, but the dividends of democracy are yet to be fully enjoyed by the Nigerian populace as a result of bad governance. Therefore,
Catholics and indeed Christians are urged to actively participate in politics as a way of contributing their quota to good governance. If the conception that ‘politics is a dirty game’ is anything to contemplate then, it is even appropriate that Christians go into it to change the game from being dirty to being clean. We must not forget that our mission is to bear fruits that will last (John 15:16) so that God will be glorified in our actions(Matthew 5:16). We call on Christians to be card carrying members of political parties, seek elective positions, obtain voters cards and go out consciously to exercise their franchise so as to add their Christian values to change the narrative for a better Nigeria.
We equally call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be fair and just in the registration of voters. They and indeed all those involved in the monitoring and conduct of elections should be transparent in the forthcoming elections in 2023.
We in strong terms condemn political violence and discourage the youth from being used as political thugs.
4. INSECURITY: CALL FOR PEACE AND UNITY
Taraba State for many years has suffered crises of different sorts resulting in the wanton destruction of life and property.
We acknowledge the efforts of the Government and Traditional Leaders in curbing the high rate of insecurity in the State. Stemming from its obligation, we encourage the Government, both Federal and State, to do more as the challenges of insecurity are far from being over. We equally call on the people of Taraba State to cooperate with Government and Security Agencies to curb the menace of insecurity.
We call on Tarabans not to add to the bleeding wounds of insecurity, by putting stop to tribal, religious and political violence. We must be united in this course. Existing acrimonies should be healed by forgiveness. Fraternal and harmonious living should be embraced for peace to reign.
5. HOLISTIC FORMATION IN SCHOOLS
Holistic formation seeks to address the emotional, social, ethical and academic needs of students. This underscores the fact that education should not only be focused on academics. Academics not guided by morals has led many Nigerian youth into cybercrimes, Advance Fee Fraud and other related crimes.
The Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in their Communiqué issued at the end of their Second Plenary Meeting, held at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Ogui, Enugu, Enugu State, from 19th – 27th August, 2021, stated that, “we encourage character development, instilling in all learners, ethical values that ultimately guide their decision-making process from their personal, everyday behaviour to their chosen career paths. Moral conduct as dictated by Christian principles is to be built into the very fabric of school culture.” Agreeing with the Bishops, we call on the Government, Religious Bodies, private bodies and individuals who run schools to make as part of the goals of education, the inculcation of moral values, the sense of social justice, care for the earth, tolerance of people of other tribes, adherence of other religions and respect for the dignity of the human person. We condemn every form of examination malpractice in schools and encourage the inculcation of the culture of hard work in our youth.
The incessant strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is causing so much damage to the country’s university educational system. We call on the Federal Government, to as a matter of urgency, put an end to the ongoing ASUU strike for the sake of the future of this country.
6. CONCLUSION
As we hope on God for a better Nigeria where justice and peace reign, we recommit ourselves to God in prayers and the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will continue to dedicate ourselves to working for peace in the larger society by preaching and urging harmonious living among all.
May our mother Mary, the Queen of Peace, pray for us. Amen
Signed:
Most Rev. Dr Charles M. Hammawa
(Catholic Bishop of Jalingo)
Very Rev. Fr Eugene Batare
(Chancellor/Notary)
