 |
L-R: Member, Research Group on
International Church Affairs, German Episcopal Conference Andreas
Hesenchever, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja John Cardinal Onaiyekan,
President Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) Rev. Ignatius
Kaigama and Bishop Stefan Zekom of the German Bishop Conference during
the International Conference on the Catholic Church and Pentecostalism
yesterday in Abuja.
Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/catholics-pentecostals-meet-in-abuja-over-relations-with-muslims/171835.html#PlwwvzYqy2lKlshU.99 |
The leadership of Nigerian Catholic Church and the Pentecostals yesterday in Abuja began an international conference on Pentecostalism, religious harmony among Christians and relationship with Muslims.
The event four-day event jointly organised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and the German Bishops Conference, is being attended by experts and academicians from different parts of the world to discuss the theme: “The Catholic Church and Pentecostalism: Challenges in the Nigerian Context”.
The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, said the conference sponsored by Missio Aachen of Germany is a follow-up to an earlier international programme on a related matter, held in Rome in 2013.
He said it became clear at the Rome event that Nigeria was the focal point of Pentecostal development in Africa due to the activities of Pentecostal Christians, hence the need to fashion out ways of harmonious relationship among Christians and other religions.
A member of the Research Group on International Church Affairs, German Episcopal Conference Andreas Hesenchever said the Pentecostals have been accused of arrogance and overconfidence that made them get into conflicts with Muslims and other Christians, thus the need for dialogue for peaceful co-existence.
The Archbishop of Jos and President of the CBCN Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, said perpetual conflicts among Christians will impact negatively on Nigeria let alone Christian-Muslim conflicts and that “The artificial barrier erected for decades should be done away with. We have to relate and live well together in the interest of our country.
A leader of the German Bishop Conference Munster, Germany Bishop Stefan Zekorn, said the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement has proved to be an important challenge for the Catholic Church not only in Nigeria but many other countries worldwide for decades.
“The German Bishop Conference conducted a research and that experts have suggested positive encouragement and personal empowerment within Pentecostal communities that help people tackle the amenities of everyday life. Strong moral rule within the Pentecostal communities might help stabilize family and community values and bring people forward in their businesses and career,” Zekorn said.
-Daily Trust
0 comments:
Post a Comment