Bishop Kukah: “No Evidence of Christian Genocide in Nigeria”

 

Bishop Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and Convener of the National Peace Committee (NPC), has refuted claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria, emphasizing that genocide is defined by intent, not the number of casualties.

Clarifying Misconceptions About Persecution

Bishop Kukah recently faced criticism after advising the international community against labeling Nigeria a “country of particular concern.”
He argued that such labels could inflame tensions, breed suspicion, and allow criminals to exploit the situation, ultimately undermining interfaith dialogue and cooperation with authorities.

Consistency with Catholic Leadership

Speaking at the 46th Supreme Convention of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) in Kaduna, Kukah stated that his position aligns with the Vatican Secretary of State, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, and other bishops nationwide.
He also questioned widely circulated statistics, including claims that 1,200 churches are burned annually in Nigeria.

“Interestingly, nobody approached the Catholic Church for accurate data. Has anyone ever called to ask, ‘Bishop Kukah, what is the situation?’” he remarked.

Genocide Defined by Intent

Addressing the term genocide, Bishop Kukah stressed that it is not determined by the number of deaths:

“You can kill 10 million people, and it still won’t amount to genocide. The critical factor is intent—whether the goal is to eliminate a group of people.”

He called for careful and precise discussions when addressing sensitive issues.

Christians’ Position in Nigeria

Bishop Kukah challenged claims of Christian persecution, highlighting the community’s strong presence and influence:

“At least 80% of educated Nigerians are Christians, and up to 85% of the Nigerian economy is controlled by Christians. With such figures, how can anyone say Christians are being persecuted?”

He attributed many challenges to internal disunity, urging Christians to stand united:

“The day we decide to stand together—believing that an injury to one is an injury to all—these things will stop.”

Caution on Martyrdom Claims

The bishop also warned against loosely labeling victims as martyrs:

“Being killed in a church doesn’t automatically make someone a martyr. Whether one is attacked by bandits or killed during theft, does that qualify as martyrdom? We must think more deeply.”

He noted that his statements were based on a comprehensive 1,270-page study on genocide, emphasizing that claims of widespread genocide or martyrdom in Nigeria are inaccurate.

Source: gistreel.com