Christians have a right to self-defence —Archbishops Kaigama, Martins

The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of Jos, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, and the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Adewale Martins, have stated that Christians have a right to self-defence when threatened.

The clerics made the assertion in separate interactions with newsmen at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, held on Friday at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos State.

Responding to questions on the recent killings in southern Kaduna, among other wave of killings across the country, and the recent calls for Christians to take up arms, Archbishop Kaigama  said: “The phrase, ‘kill them’ or ‘retaliate’ is not in the vocabulary of Jesus Christ. Our religion does not allow us to kill. However, that 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.

“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.”

Archbishop Martins, in his message, while praising the achievements of the association in the past 50 years, stated 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 said.

What is expected, however, is that we do not go out to attack anybody. We are not permitted to be aggressors,” he said.

The National President of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Group Captain Eyepiegaa Ebiye, in his message, praised the achievements of the association over the years, noting the exemplary leadership of the spiritual director, Monsignor Philip Horton and stressed that the organisation was poised to deeper commitment to prayers towards ensuring national development through divine intervention.