The Nigerian Navy (NN) Directorate of Chaplain Services of the Roman Catholic Church has called for non-violence in resolving issues in the country today.
Speaking at the annual training seminar/conference of the Directorate in Calabar, the Flag Officer Commanding of the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mathew Emuekpere, said the theme of the conference The Gospel of Non-violence and Mutual Coexistence among the Present Nigerian People: The Chaplains’ Roles was apt to address the issues of disputes, struggles and rampant killings in some states in the country.
Emuekpere urged the Directorate to use to develop workable techniques which will aid their sermon at the pulpit as clergymen in order to restore unity within the barracks and by extension across the nation.
He said the Directorate was established to cater for the spiritual wellbeing of Navy personnel within and beyond the barrack, and that the conference is one of the exercises designed annually to keep the Chaplain personnel focused on the exigencies required by their duties at military and pastoral levels.
Director of the Nigerian Navy Chaplain Services, Very Rev Fr Commander Robert Oparaji said the theme of the conference could not have come at a better time in the history of Nigeria’s existence as a country than now that the nation is contending with numerous challenges stretching from socio-political to ethno-religious.
“With various parts of the country experiencing palpable mistrust, frictions and conflicts along religious, denominational, regional and ethnic lines. This misunderstanding emanating from our biodiversity is an issue that has taken the front burner in our national discourse and all hands must be on deck to ensure that our diversity is our greatest strength and not the other way round. As children of God it is our duty to pursue peace with all men.
“The opportunity provided by this conference ought to appreciate the enormity of our roles as chaplains at propagating the gospel of non-violence and mutual co-existence amongst the people of Nigeria,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, who in his vision and mission, as well as his strategic guideline for a creditable performance has indeed promoted the religious activities of the Navy by sustaining the annual event.
The Archbishop of the Calabar, His Grace, Most Rev Dr Joseph Ekuwem called for non-violence in the country even in the face of provocation.
He said Jesus Christ taught his disciples love and to be merciful, hence we are called to repent, forgive and to give non-violent resistance to those who do evil.
Ekuwem said non-violence does not mean surrendering to evil, but responding to evil with good.
The clergyman sued for peace, as all are one despite different tribes, ethnicity or backgrounds.
