The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has called on Christians to stop complaining about nonexistent plans by Muslims to Islamize the country and focus instead on spreading the gospel around the country. The Archbishop made this call on Sunday in his homily at a Mass to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Gwarimpa.
He said although he is unsure if anyone was attempting to Islamize the country, such possible attempt was not unlawful. He called on Christians to rise in defense of the gospel and Christianize the nation instead to complaining and crying.
“So let nobody deceive you, I don’t think there is anybody who has plan to Islamize Nigeria, but even if they do, they have every right to do so. They have every right to do so provided they also know that I have the right to Christianize the whole of Nigeria. The answer is not in complaining and crying; stand up like a man and Christianize Nigeria,’’ the Cardinal said.
He maintained that the claim of Islamization is not possible without the consent of the non-Muslim.
"People complain that Christianity is being persecuted; they are saying that some people want to Islamize the nation. Just know that nobody can Islamize you unless you agree to be Islamized. For as long as you are not ready to stand up and carry the Cross, you are on the verge of losing your faith; if you don’t want to lose your promotion for Christ sake, you are also not worthy to be a Christian."
