Clerics advise Pope to propagate virtue of peace

• Pope Francis

Some religious clerics have urged Pope Francis I, the new head of the Catholic Church, to use his exalted office to propagate the virtue of peace to achieve world unity.
The clerics gave the advice on Sunday in an interview with the Newsmen in Lagos.
They called on the Pontiff to ensure that religious and world leaders remained united to check insecurity, the greatest threat to world peace.
Pastor Dickson Achigolo, Zonal Pastor, Ogun Province 8, of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), said that the Pope’s position was a respected one and could be used to achieve peace and unity among religious groups.

The people cherished his appointment, when he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he was against gay marriage, artificial contraception and ordination of women as priests.
That pitched him against the Italian Government, he is a man that would uphold the Old Catholic tradition, and he is a figure of unity in the church, Achigolo said.
The pastor urged the Pope to also ensure enhanced relationship between Christians, Muslims and other religious groups.
This is important because of the persistent persecutions and religious conflicts planned by fanatics through bombing of churches.
Pope John Paul II, would go to the mosque even in a troubled area, pray with them and then disseminate the message of peace.
He taught peace everywhere he goes, Pope Francis 1, should toe the footsteps of Pope John Paul II.
He should also follow the line of his predecessor too, who visited a mosque in Turkey to buttress the message that Christians and Muslims worship the same God, and should therefore live in peace, he said.
Imam Mustapha Adebello, a Lecturer at the Islamic Studies Department in the Lagos State University, said that the Pope should engender understanding and mutual cooperation among religious groups.
Pope Francis I should reach out to those who do not share the Catholic faith, Muslims and other religions, just like other popes have done, he said.
Pastor Bayo Akinola, of the Lord Mission Ministry International Church, urged the pontiff to ensure that religious leaders were united and check insecurity which was the greatest threat to world peace.
His emergence should enhance unity of purpose on global issues. Insecurity in some parts of the world has made the place unsafe for people to live in.
The pope should engage religious leaders in intensive dialogue to achieve lasting peace, he said.
Ven. Luyi Akinwade, Dean of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland, urged the new pope not to recognize gay right as God has made women for men.
The church should continue to uphold the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman not between a man and a man or woman and woman.
It is not right either in the church or anywhere to ask that people that are living in this wrong way be recognized. The church has been right in this regard and must continue to insist on that, he said.
Pastor Edwin Onyejiuba of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim said that it was impressive that the Roman Catholic Church for the first time in so many years chose a pope outside Europe.
Nobody can ascend the throne except God ordained that person.
My prayer is that the fear of the Lord will be on the new pope, that God will give him wisdom to lead the church aright.
The world needs leaders who can stand before God and intercede like Moses did for the children of Israel. My prayer is that God should use the new pope to fulfill His purpose, Onyjiuba said.

[LTV]