WCC NEWS: WCC asks Nigerian president to support Christian Muslim joint efforts for peace

[WCC media <noreply@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches - News

WCC ASKS NIGERIAN PRESIDENT TO SUPPORT CHRISTIAN MUSLIM JOINT EFFORTS FOR
PEACE

For immediate release: 26 January 2012

The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse
Tveit expressed deep sadness over the current wave of violence in Nigeria,
calling on the churches to pray for the victims, and asking Nigerian
president to support solidarity efforts for peace by both Christians and
Muslims in the country.

In his letter to the Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, Tveit wrote,
“We continue to mourn the loss of life, particularly among those who
were killed in brutal attacks this past weekend in Kano and the attacks on
and deaths of Christian worshipers celebrating the mass service of
Christmas in Abuja only a month ago.”

Tveit urged the need to remain both “vigilant and prayerful” as the
recent developments in Nigeria pose a threat to peace and stability in the
region.

He said that actions of both Christian and Muslim leaders working together
in Nigeria will ultimately allow both communities to live in peace.

“Nigeria cannot become another battlefield where religion is used to
promote division, hatred and allowing for destructive intentions.
Christians and Muslims around the world offer their support to our sisters
and brothers in Nigeria to enable them to live together in peace.”

On behalf of the churches, Tveit expressed condolence to the bereaved
families suffering from the violence and hoped for the justice and healing
of victims in the country.

Read full text of the letter (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=5040f33e791a1acc7a4a )

Nigerian archbishop encourages inter-religious solutions to violence
(Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=c6c51e9ac039f26dcf4d
) (WCC press release of 25 February 2012)

WCC accompanying churches in situations of conflict (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=5b56543e353519bb62eb )

WCC programme on Inter-religious dialogue and cooperation
(Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=464824e23474a09f411d )

WCC member churches in Nigeria (Link:
http://www.oikoumene.org/index.php?RDCT=b9709e23e8edb3f79962 )


The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness 
and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of 
churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, 
Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million 
Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman 
Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, 
from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.



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