Be an instrument of unity rather than destruction, cleric urges

A lecturer 'Curator' in All Saints Major Seminary, Ekpoma, Edo state, Rev. Fr. Anthony Afariogun on Sunday said that divisions among religious and ethnic groups could destabilise the success of any nation.

Afariogun, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), urged individuals to be instruments of peace rather than destruction.

``We are not just divided, we basically fight each other constantly, trying to prove to one another that we are the sole owners of the truth or that we alone have the keys to success or heaven," he said.

He noted that it was not just enough that some people discredit their fellow men on issues of doctrine and so on, adding that it was not necessary for any developing nation.

The cleric frowned at those who enjoyed seeing their fellow Christians go down just to prove that they were right after all.

``Today’s reading captures the nature of this scandal of disunity. And it goes to show that the walls of division are spread out over the ends of the earth.

``Instead of them to accord Stephen in the Biblical Book the respect he truly deserved and just let him be, they condemned him.

``When we fight each other, we end up presenting ourselves before the evil one to pass judgement.

``This is exactly what happened to Stephen, chosen from a community to serve but the Jews cast him out of the city and stoned him to death because he stood for the truth," he said.

He urged the faithful to start seeing themselves as brothers and sisters, as demonstrated in the prayer of Jesus Christ.

``When are we ever going to be one? Even Jesus himself tells us: ``A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, a house divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” quoting from the Book of Mark 3, 24 to 25.

``Disunity is a scandal. It is a free weapon in the hands of the enemy, the success of the British Colonialism was based on the principle of divide and rule.

``Let ethnic issues cease within the church, our work places and home, rivalry between groups, son-of-the-soil, favouring one language over and above other languages should end.

``If we cannot be one within a church, a group or a society, how can we be one within a diocese, or be one with a total stranger?

``We have a long way to go, but I say the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step," he said.

He also advised the faithful to be instruments of unity wherever they find themselves for the progress of the nation. (NAN)