The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), has advised families to do more in the moral rectitude of their wards to tackle the rising cases of insecurity and other anti-social ills currently ravaging Nigeria.
Rev. Fr Michael Banjo, Deputy Secretary-General, CSN, made the call at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.
Banjo said that the family was crucial in guiding the path of their wards, especially shunning anti-social and criminal activities.
He noted that if families were alive to their responsibilities, the rising cases of insecurity and other societal ills currently ravaging the country would have been reduced to the minimum.
The clergyman said though it was not the constitutional role of the Church to lead the fight against insecurity in the country, as the conscience of society, it could appeal to the people’s conscience through preaching of the gospel, dialogues and prayers.
On what the church was doing to curb the spate of kidnappings and other crimes in the country, Banjo said the Church was not in control of the military and security agencies.
Banjo said it was the primary responsibility of government to secure the lives and property of its citizens, while the Church could complement with prayers.
He said that the Catholic Church was holding prayers for peace and security in Nigeria as well as engaging leaders in some sectors in fulfillment of its obligation as the conscience of the society.
The National Director of Social Communications, CSN, Abuja, Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh, emphasised the importance of collaboration between the media and the Church, to promote morally upright country.
Umoh outlined some events planned by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) for the year for promotion of peace and unity and called on Nigerians to support the programmes.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Nomhwange, the CSN Director of Mission and Dialogue, stressed the importance of dialogue in tackling societal challenges to engender cohesion amongst different religious and ethnic groups.
He called for more support for the vulnerable groups, especially the women and children, to reduce sufferings of Nigerians. (NAN)
