Awka – Cardinal Francis Arinze of the Roman Catholic Church has said that national development and peace would be sustainable through renewal of true reconciliation among Nigerians.
Speaking during a visit to the Pope John Paul Seminary in Awka on Tuesday Arinze said that Nigeria would be better if its citizens engaged in genuine reconciliation of their differences.
He said imminent Christmas was another opportunity for Nigerians to be reconciled to God and to one another.
“We need honesty, forgiveness and true reconciliation for our nation-building process to yield good fruits.
“Now that Christmas is approaching, quarrels between groups or persons will be reconciled and God will bless every Nigerian that is working hard for our national progress,’’ the cardinal said.
Also in a lecture entitled “The Laity’s Distinctive Role,” the cardinal said that lay members, who constituted 99. 9 per cent of the church’s population globally, should play greater roles.
“A seminary is a place to prepare candidates to be ordained priests and the institution is important to the church and to society.
“We clerics must stop to see ourselves as better leaders or better theologians because many laity members are now well educated and should be respected.
“We priests should encourage more calling to the lay apostolate for the overall growth of the church,’’ Arinze said.
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Also, Rev. Fr. Ikechukwu Enwelu, the Rector of the seminary, said the priesthood was a calling to strengthen the faithful in their earthly pilgrimage to heaven.
“Nigerians should continue to seek the divine mercy of God and endeavor to do His will at all times.
“We must entrench justice and equity in our affairs to enjoy unity and peace,’’ Enwelu said. (NAN)