"Our religion does not allow us to kill", Archbishops say

The growing violence, seemingly targeted at Christians in the North, has become a major cause for concern.

Some religious leaders have surprisingly advised Christians to respond with violence, while others have offered peaceful alternatives such as praying.

Archbishops, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, and Adewale Martins fall into this second category. They disclosed this in different interviews at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, held at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos State.

In his message, the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Martins said: "What is expected, however, is that we do not go out to attack anybody. We are not permitted to be aggressors.”

The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of Jos, Most Reverend Kaigama, echoed similar sentiments saying, “The phrase, ‘kill them’ or ‘retaliate’ is not in the vocabulary of Jesus Christ. Our religion does not allow us to kill."

In spite of these statements, both archbishops agreed that Christians have the right to defend themselves if need be.

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The Archbishop of Lagos said that “every human being has the fundamental right to life and to protect his or her life as well. Christian, and everyone at that, has the right to defend themselves when threatened.”

He was supported by archbishop Martins, who said the fact that Christianity does not permit killing "doesn’t mean we should sit down and allow destruction of our lives and properties. You have a right to self-defence when threatened. Divine and human laws allow it."

Moving on, he noted that living in the North must not be easy, he also called for prayers.

“It is not easy to be a Christian in some of these Northern states and therefore, we must join forces with the Christian community in prayer. The church is in trouble. Many things that hold us together are being destroyed but our faith cannot be destroyed. When we hold onto Jesus, we shall overcome," he said.

ALSO READ: Clergy prays against Kaduna attacks, kidnappings

I think these are reasonable reactions to the violence in the North. What do you think?