Nigeria’s insecurity not religious, says Vatican Secretary of State

Nigeria’s insecurity not religious, says Vatican Secretary of State

Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has dismissed claims that Nigeria’s security crisis is primarily religious, insisting that the violence plaguing the country is largely driven by deep-rooted social and economic factors.

Speaking in Rome on Tuesday during the presentation of a report on religious freedom by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Parolin cautioned against oversimplifying the complex nature of Nigeria’s insecurity.

“The situation is not a religious conflict,” the cardinal said. “Many Muslims in Nigeria are themselves victims of this same intolerance. These are extremist groups that make no distinctions in pursuing their goals.”

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His remarks come amid growing international concern over reports of Christian persecution in Nigeria, with some foreign lawmakers describing the situation as a “Christian genocide.”

At a separate launch of the ACN report in the UK parliament, Bishop John Bakeni of the Diocese of Maiduguri echoed Parolin’s sentiments, attributing the violence to poverty, climate change, and competition for land. However, he acknowledged that some attacks bore religious undertones, with churches and clergy being targeted “with impunity.”

The Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims of religiously motivated genocide. Following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aqaba Process summit in Rome, Massad Boulos, senior adviser to US President Donald Trump on Arab and African affairs, also dismissed the allegations.

“Terrorists are killing more Muslims than Christians in Nigeria,” Boulos said, adding that the US remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat insecurity.

The statements from Catholic leaders and international diplomats highlight the multifaceted nature of Nigeria’s security challenges, urging a more nuanced understanding of the crisis.

 

Nigeria’s insecurity not religious, says Vatican Secretary of State