The Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan Diocese, Bishop Joseph Bagobiri said yesterday it was a religious obligation binding on Christians to use, “moderate and proportionate force” to defend themselves against the onslaught on them by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram, arguing that it was a biblical teaching.
He also said that Christian communities that observe absolute pacifism, have all ceased to exist.
He also said that Christian communities that observe absolute pacifism, have all ceased to exist.
The former Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kaduna state Chapter, also came down heavily on retired generals from Southern Kaduna, where he alleged Fulani gunmen have killed several hundreds of persons since 2011. He described the act of reticence by Christians as, “gross act of irresponsibility”
Bagobiri said this in his homily at a reception organised for the immediate Group Managing Director, GMD, of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engr Andy La’ah Yakubu, in Unguwan Wakili, Zangon Kataf Local Governenmt Area, LGA, in Southern part of Kaduna state.
The Magisterium on legitimacy of self defence
Said Bagobiri: “The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes it as an act of love towards one self; and carried out out in defense of God’s gift to life which we are merely custodians. The theological authorities of the Church are emphatic: Love towards oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality.
“Therefore, it is legitimate to insist on respect for one’s own right to life. Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow . Nor is it necessary for salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid killing the other man, since one is bound to take more care of one’s own life than of another’s’
“The Magisterium is further explicit on this subject matter when it teaches that ‘ legitimate Defence can not only be a right but grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The Defence of the common good require than an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm.
“It must be stated clearly here that in light of the above official church statement, that the exercise of self Defence does amount to un-forgiveness, nor is it to be seen as an act of vengeance or vendetta.
“Christians must do everything within their powers to protect their lives from being snuffed off by Satanist driven Islamic organisations. Christian communities that observe absolute pacifism have all ceased to exist, according to researchers into Christian persecution.
