Embrace the Wonderful Message of Easter
-Archbishop Martins Tells Nigerians
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins has called on all Nigerians to embrace the wonderful message of Easter as exemplified in the selfless sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ who offered himself willingly to die on the cross of Calvary in order to redeem mankind from sin and eternal damnation.
He said such a measure of self-sacrifice for the common good is expected of everyone, particularly those in leadership positions in the country in order to bring about genuine progress, peace and hope for the nation at this period of excruciating pain brought about by failure of leadership over the years and the dwindling economy.
In his 2022 Easter message signed by the Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Archbishop Martins also charged all Christians to renew their promises of baptism at Easter, to reject Satan and all his evil works and deeds. This would serve as a reflection of their faith and their readiness to live the new life of Easter and bring hope to the poor and those living in fear.
The prelate called on all to pray for the grace to recognize the risen Christ in the reality of their lives and to live in his love with trust and confidence in his promise to give them victory over their challenges. He also urged those in government to strive to take the right decisions and take appropriate actions in order to lift the people out of the misery in which most of our citizens are living at the moment.
“As we celebrate Easter, we must not forget that the resurrection of Christ is an expression of His power to overcome sin and dispel all forms of darkness, despair and death. Our faith in the resurrection compels us to have no doubt or fear that all shall be well again even as we live the reality of the current desperate situation in our country.
The high level of insecurity is very real in our time. The brutal killings that are reported almost on a day-to-day basis create fear and panic. The most recent are the massacres in Plateau and Benue states even as violence is reported in other parts of the country. Our government must rise up to its responsibility. The hardship that our people are facing today arise from the fact that over the years, the leadership of our country has often been concerned about parochial ethnic, religious and narrow interests instead of the common good. We must realise that individual personal good, security etc. can be assured only if the good of every individual person is attained. Both leaders and people must renounce the path of selfishness and greed that we are pursuing now. If we learn to love one another as Christ loves us, then we can build a better society where all would be able to develop and grow at their own pace and actualize their God-given visions and dreams as children of God.”
The prelate sympathized once again with the victims of the ill-fated Abuja/Kaduna train which was recently attacked by terrorists in which many were killed and some other passengers were kidnapped. He equally condoled with families of the over 100 lives that were brutally cut short in Plateau State by men suspected to be bandits and terrorists.
While condemning all acts of terrorism, kidnapping and murder which he described as callous, devilish and extreme wickedness devoid of logical reasoning, he bemoaned the inability of government to stem the tide of the activities of these agents of darkness despite its numerous promises and the huge resources, including intelligence at its disposal.
He challenged President Muhammadu Buhari and his cabinet members, including the Service Chiefs to utilize the remaining period of this administration to stem the tide of the ravaging insecurity across the country.
He warned that failing to do this may impact negatively on the success of the forthcoming national elections and the peace and unity of the country.
Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu
Director of Social Communications,
Lagos Archdiocese.
15th April 2022.
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