Lent: Bishop Urges Politicians to Fear God, Calls for Justice and Compassion
From Hilary John
The Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese in Taraba State, Charles Michael Hammawa, has urged politicians to fear God and act justly towards the people.
The Bishop made the call in an interview with journalists at the Catholic Cathedral, Mile Six, Jalingo, as Catholics worldwide begin the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday.
He explained that Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and almsgiving, set aside by the Church for spiritual renewal, self-discipline and sacrifice in imitation of Jesus Christ.
According to him, Christians are called during this season to deepen their faith, intensify prayers, overcome sin, and show love and compassion, especially to the poor and less privileged.
Bishop Hammawa noted that it is providential that both Christians and Muslims are observing fasting at the same time this year, describing it as a divine call for peaceful coexistence.
Bishop Charles Michael Hammawa
He appealed to Nigerians to stop using religion as a source of division and instead live together as brothers and sisters with mutual respect and fairness.
He also warned political leaders not to neglect the people who entrusted them with power, stressing that whether or not they claim belief in God, they must believe in justice.
He lamented the level of suffering in Nigeria and called on leaders to govern with conscience, compassion and responsibility.
The Bishop further urged Christians to have a proper attitude toward wealth, avoid greed and excess, and commit themselves to charity and the common good, following the example of Christ and the Church’s tradition of caring for the poor.
He reaffirmed that the Christian hope does not fail and called on the faithful to use the Lenten period to fight injustice, oppression and corruption, and to work for a better and more humane society.
