Most Rev. Mathew Ishaya-Audu, the Catholic Archbishop-designate of Jos, has called on Nigerians to be tolerant of each others religious affiliations.

Newsmen report that the Bishop who, until his recent appointment, was Bishop of Lafia Diocese since its establishment 19 years ago, made the call on Friday in Lafia during a Mass to mark his 60th birthday and 35th priestly anniversary.

The cleric said that he had a harmonious working relationship with people from other religions spanning over 35 years.

According to him, some of those people he worked with “are not very good people”.

He, however, added that most of them genuinely wanted peace and preached it.

“We enjoyed our work together. All religions preach peace and don’t promote violence. Why can’t we obey the tenants of our religions?

“If faithfuls of every religion will  obey the teachings of their religion, there will be peace in the country,” he said.

The Bishop also thanked God for protecting him while working in His vineyard, in spite of his shortcomings, and restated his resolve to dedicate the rest of his life to serving God and humanity.

“There were good moments, bad and trying moments in my journey all this while, but God’s grace and prayers by parishioners kept us going,” the cleric said.

Earlier, Monsignor Cletus Gotan, in his Homily, said that most of the perpetrators of evil in the country belonged to religious bodies and appealed to the leaders of the various faithfuls to live above board.

Gotan, who is the current Rector of St Augustine Major Seminary, Jos, said that religious faithfuls, who were in public offices, should be sincere and faithful in their dealings as they would account for their stewardship to God, on the last day.

The occasion was attended by the Bishops of Shendam, Bauchi, Jalingo, Lokoja, Pankshin, Abuja, Maiduguri, Illorin, Onisha, Osogbo, Ekiti, Gboko, Nnewi, among other dignities.

 

 

 

 

NAN