Scottish Catholic Observer

The tragic event of the bomb blast that killed over 35 worshippers of the Catholic Church of St Theresa in Madalla, Niger State, on Christmas Day, reverberated all over the world through the mass media. It was like the incident of the massacre of the Holy Innocent children killed on the orders of King Herod in his futile effort to eliminate the Infant King Jesus. (Mt. 2:13-18). The timing was diabolic, at the interval between two Holy Masses when worshippers coming out from one service and those going in for the next normally mill around the small space between the road and the church building. It was carried out with deadly efficiency. There was no way to stop a determined suicide murderer in his car loaded with explosives. Although some other road users were affected by the blast, it was obvious that innocent Catholics at worship were the target of the attack. And this on the most holy feast of Christmas, the celebration of Peace to the world!

The result was devastating: heavy casualty of over 35 men, women and children. This affected also some casual road users, including muslims too. It was the subject of “Breaking News” all over the world on Christmas Day. It has spread very bad name for Nigeria in general, and for the Nigerian Islamic community in particular.

Our prayers go for the repose of the souls of those killed so tragically. Our condolences go to the bereaved. We wish the wounded quick recovery. We pray for God’s healing for the many who have suffered deep psychological and spiritual damage. It is a great consolation that since the incident occurred, widespread expressions of sympathy have been pouring in from many quarters: from government and individuals, from Nigeria and foreign nations. Particularly significant has been the sympathies of the Nigerian Islamic community. No doubt, even God Himself is not indifferent to our pains and sorrow. Jesus is EMMANUEL, God with us, even in the midst of such tragedy.

We have lost many dear brothers, sisters and children. They must NOT die in vain. Reprisal in any form is out of the question. We must obey the command of Jesus that we forgive those who harm us. But we demand that something concrete and effective must be done – and quickly too – to make sure that this madness stops. The civil authorities, who bear the primary responsibility for the security of the nation, must do all that is necessary to identify the culprits and their supporters, and disarm them firmly and effectively.

In this regard, there has to be action on all fronts. The government must move into a new gear in its approach to national security which is a priority concern of any government. Every Nigerian has to be more security conscious. We must be one another’s keeper. No one is secure until everyone is secure. There is the special responsibility of the Nigerian Islamic community. The perpetrators claim to be Muslim and to be pursuing an Islamic agenda. It is not enough to disown them in public statements. They are part of the greater Islamic community, which is in the best position to identify and deal with them. We must all put our heads together and work hand in hand to defeat this common danger in our land. This is no time to break up into ethnic or religious camps. Divisions and mutual antagonism on any basis will only prolong our pains. Our best chance of victory is in a common and united action at all levels. May God protect us and bless our land. Amen.

Pic: A car burns at the scene of a bomb explosion outside St Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, just outside Nigeria’s capital Abuja, on Christmas Day. Five bombs exploded Christmas Day at churches in Nigeria. Militants of the Boko Haram sect said they had set off the bombs, raising fears that they are trying to ignite sectarian civil war