Nigeria’s Failures Are No Excuse for Wrongdoing,” Bishop Kukah Urges Christians in Christmas Message

Bishop Matthew Kukah, in his Christmas message, calls on Christians to uphold moral values despite Nigeria’s challenges, emphasizing faith, integrity, and collective responsibility.

Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has reminded Christians in Nigeria that they serve as the light of the world.

In his Christmas message on Wednesday, Kukah stated that Christians cannot keep attributing the corruption in our society to the Constitution, judiciary, police, or other public officials.

I urge Christians to remember that we are the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be concealed. We must not let the structural weaknesses and shortcomings of Nigeria serve as an excuse for wrongdoing.

Bishop Kukah stated that we cannot keep blaming the Constitution, Judiciary, Police, or other public servants for the corruption in our society.

He pointed out that corruption can be seen as failing to uphold the commitments and promises made by Christians during baptism.

He expressed that our commitment to Christ, made at baptism, predates any allegiance to the Constitution. While the Constitution is a human creation with inherent limitations and imperfections, God’s Word stands as an infallible divine command. True Christians carry God’s laws within their hearts (2 Cor. 3:3) and require no other law for guidance,” he added.

On the day when Christians worldwide celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Bishop Kukah reminded them that Jesus’ message to humanity encompasses peace, joy, love, justice, and reconciliation.

He expressed concern that the forces of secularism are intent on stripping Christmas of its core essence, which is the joyous and enlightening message to the world.

Christmas is often being viewed as just another holiday or, at best, a prime opportunity for savvy business gains. We’ve ignored Jesus’ warning that we cannot serve two masters (Matt. 6:2). Nowadays, our world suffers under the weight of the seven deadly sins: Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath and Sloth.

The world seems to have lost its moral direction, with violence sweeping across the globe. The sounds of conflict and destruction now overshadow the uplifting message of joy brought by Jesus. This tragic scenario is most apparent in the very place where Jesus was born.

“Today, instead of lying in the innocence of swaddling clothes in Bethlehem, the baby Jesus is found amid the pool of blood that now surrounds Gaza and its neighboring communities,” Kukah stated.

He observed that Christmas provides Christians with an opportunity for profound personal reflection on the values and virtues of Christian witness.

In his message, Bishop Kukah acknowledged some progress in the area of security in Nigeria but remarked that “we are not out of the woods yet.”

A detailed strategy with specific deadlines is essential to ensure the security of our nation. Insecurity stems from corruption and cannot be effectively tackled unless we also address unemployment and violent religious extremism, both of which contribute to a climate ripe for violence.

Religious extremism can be addressed by the government through legal action and prosecuting those responsible as criminals and murderers.

The Bishop also addressed the recent stampede tragedies in Oyo State, Anambra, and Abuja. He pointed out that the government’s inability to effectively tackle the severe issues of hunger and desperation has led to these preventable disasters.

Bishop Kukah emphasized that the government is responsible for ensuring a basic level of dignity for its citizens, and he encouraged closer collaboration with institutions dedicated to promoting societal well-being.

He prayed for God to grant eternal rest to the deceased and comfort their families.