A delegation of the Pope Leo XIV, led by Archbishop Paul Gallagher formally met with the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaj, Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III in Abuja today, July 6, leaving the meeting satisfied with the harmonious relationship that is existing between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the meeting at the National Mosque, which was convened at the instance of the Sultan, Archbishop Paul Gallagher acknowledged that his conversation with the Sultan was “very frank and illuminating. It was good to hear that many of our positions regarding the role of religious leaders, both on the Catholic side and the Muslim side, coincide.
“For me, this is a reason for optimism regarding the religious cohesion of the country and our shared commitment to working for the good of all Nigerians.”
The Archbishop observed that there is a common view and a common conviction that Christians and Muslims, particularly their leaders, must work together for the common good of all Nigerians.
His Eminence, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III commended the Catholic community, especially in Nigeria, for being very cooperative and highly committed to peaceful coexistence in the country.
He acknowledged their willingness to work together with him through various interfaith organisations and activities to ensure that peace and security are promoted in Nigeria.
The two sides spoke on the need to fight hate speech because it has been most injurious to peaceful coexistence in the country.
They emphasized that hate speech has created perceptual and relational crises among faith communities in Nigeria.
They therefore, made a strong call for all religious and faith communities to work together to combat hate speech, especially the growing and unfortunate phenomenon whereby some individuals openly insult religious leaders who are highly respected within their various faith communities.
The two sides also called on leaders at all levels to ensure that people refrain from insulting not only important religious figures but even ordinary individuals, who equally deserve respect.
They stressed the need also to fight fake news, saying that fake news is another evil being used to precipitate a lot of trouble in the country.
“It is something that we must collectively confront.
“There was also the need to address the overall moral perversion that is holding sway in the world today. We are witnessing a great deal of moral degeneration and moral perversion globally, and it is the duty of religious leaders and faith workers to ensure that these challenges are confronted.
“There is the need to fight atheism—the growing rejection of God among young people, both within the Muslim and Christian communities.”
The essence of the visit, according to the Deputy Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Professor Salisu Shehu, was to promote mutual understanding with emphasis on the need for cooperation across religious and faith communities in promoting peace and peaceful coexistence, while also working towards maintaining and improving the security situation in Nigeria and the world.
The visitor, Archbishop Gallagher was described as an important and key personality from the Vatican. He heads the office that coordinates diplomatic relationships and international linkages at the Vatican.
He was accompanied by top leaders in Catholic world from the Vatican.
Also at the meeting were top leaders of the Catholic community in Nigeria, including Archbishop Mathew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Dioses and former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop John Onaiyekan.
