In churches around the world, faith leaders lead Christians in deepening their belief in God through prayers, services and other activities. In Nigeria, however, a bishop has an extra daunting task: ensuring that Christians living in Muslim-dominated communities are safe from persecution.
According to a report by The Catholic News Agency, Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Diocese of Sokoto, located in northern Nigeria, recently visited the United States to raise awareness of the persecution of Christians in his country and appeal for help from American authorities and organisations.
Kukah said the threat of persecution is very real among Nigerian Christians, who suffer from the attacks of organised Islamic militants and also the government's failure to ensure political and social order in the African nation.
Among the incidents of hate crimes against Christians recently reported in Nigeria were the kidnapping of schoolgirls, and the bombing of churches. On top of these, Nigerian Christians have to deal with poverty and an unstable government.
"Christians suffer disproportionate violence from Muslim extremists for reasons that very often have nothing to do with the Christian community," Bishop Kukah said.
Worse, the Roman Catholic official said Christians suffer more when they try to get justice from persecution due to the bureaucratic processes in Nigeria. Due to this, he said Christians already feel like they are second-class citizens in their own country.
While already facing so much sufferings, Nigerian Christians have a big role to play in reinstating peace and rebuilding communities in the African nation, the bishop said.
"The primary responsibility of rebuilding our country rests with us," the bishop said, adding that the government of Nigeria should also strive to "appreciate the scope of the problem."
He encouraged Christians in Nigeria to engage government officials and other communities towards cooperation in solving their common problems.
