ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. (Dr.) Mathew Kukah has said religion is not to blame for the woes of the world, in spite of the increase in the religiously linked global terrorists activities.
Kukah made this know in Abuja at the weekend, while delivering his message at the 8th edition of the Festival of Praise with the theme; “Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord”.
He said that though some people are of the opinion that either religion has failed, or it is the architect of the atrocities being witnessed in the world today, he maintained that neither of the position was right.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
According to him; “amidst the pain, injury, war and death, really what can we say today, some people think that religion has failed and others think religion is to be blamed for the woes in the world, neither of this position is correct, but we as Christians should have understanding of the position as to what our faith tells us about life, death, war, suffering, pain, about wealth, about poverty.
“I believe the greatest challenge that faces Christianity today is what I called the crisis of identity, who is Christ? What does Christ demand of us to do? I mean we might pose a question, why are we Christians? What is our duty in the world today? These are difficult questions, and each of this can be a subject of a thesis in a book, and many books and thesis can be written.”
Casting his mind back, Kukah described the Madalla bombing in 2012 as an event that marked the high point of the country’s national tragedy, and the beginning of the baptism of fire in this country.
He stressed that people are desperate in seeking answers to almost every question. “We have witnessed the emergence to a multi bllion naira, and $20 billion industry of divine alms sorcery; diviners, sorcerers, buddists have now become part and parcel of devine industry today.”
Kukah stated that, “Over the years we have watched as our so-call men and women of God have become engrossed in many criminal activities from running baby factories, abortion clinics and other nefarious activities in the name of God.
“Today as we speak there are Christian pastors, who are not only standing trial, but are serving various prison sentences. This is because we are living with a Christianity that has now provided answers, and believe that they can solve every problem, and there will be an answer to every question,” he noted.
He emphasised that though there is blood and sorrow everywhere in the country, this is the time for Christians to stand because the Lord they worship has conquered the world.