“Let’s keep in mind that many Muslims who come to Nigeria are victims of this intolerance”
Christians in Nigeria continue to be under attack even if they haven’t attracted a fraction of the attention as trendier causes.
At least 13 worshippers were abducted when gunmen attacked a church in Kogi state, central Nigeria, amid rising insecurity in the region, a state official said on Wednesday.
Kogi Information Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said the assault on First ECWA church, in the remote Ayetoro-Kiri community, on Sunday sparked a gunfight between the attackers and local hunters employed by the state as a first line of defense.
Four of the attackers were killed, and at least 10 others sustained wounds, Fanwo said, adding that security forces remained on the trail of the fleeing kidnappers.
Pope Leo meanwhile blasted “out of control portfolios” in yet another set of anti-capitalist remarks.
Pope Leo Wednesday condemned an attitude of activism focused solely on profit which he said puts human lives and the environment at risk, ultimately leaving those perpetuating the cycle unhappy.
“It is therefore in the heart that true treasure is kept, not in earthly safes, not in large financial investments, which today more than ever before are out of control and unjustly concentrated at the bloody price of millions of human lives and the devastation of God’s creation,” he said.
The Vatican has billions in investments which is fine and presumably not ‘unjustly concentrated’ since the money is used for good causes. Much of the wealth in private hands is also ultimately used for good causes.
But, more relevantly, Christians are facing genocide while Pope Leo refuses to address the problem and instead keeps talking about the evils of capitalism.
“I think in Nigeria, in certain areas, there is certainly a danger for Christians, but for all people. Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered,” he said, addressing a question from EWTN News about the safety of Nigerian Christians on Nov. 18.
“There’s a question of terrorism. There’s a question that has to do a lot with economics, if you will, and control of the lands that they have,” the pope continued. “Unfortunately, many Christians have died, and I think it’s very, it’s important to seek a way for the government, with all peoples, to promote authentic religious freedom.”
“Unfortunately many Christians have died.” Passive voice. “There is certainly a danger for Christians, but for all people. Christians and Muslims.”
Some of the statements from the Vatican brass are even worse.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, drew criticism last month after telling journalists that violence in Nigeria was “not a religious conflict, but rather a social conflict, for example, between herders and farmers.”
“Let’s keep in mind that many Muslims who come to Nigeria are victims of this intolerance,” he continued.
The Christians under fire however tell another story.
However, the Catholic Herald has spoken to Christians on the ground who have described experiencing prolonged violence at the hands of jihadists. Orazagas Sov, who attends Full Gospel Revival Crusade in Benue State, told the Herald: “Christians are killed every day by Fulani jihadists, and the government isn’t doing anything about it. Trump should come for our rescue.” Similarly, Tersoo Anjila, also from Benue State, said: “I want to make it clear that this is jihad, it is an Islamist expansionist agenda.”
Fr Paschal, a priest of Nigerian descent who ministers in the Diocese of Brentwood, welcomed President Trump’s comments, telling the Herald: “It highlights an atrocious situation, bringing hope to the millions in suffering or fear of persecution.”
And they aren’t even talking about ‘out-of-control’ portfolios.
