By Olivia Obijiaku
Parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria have been charged to emulate St John Paul II who was known across the globe as a peacemaker. The Chaplain of St Luke’s Chaplaincy, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika-Zaria, Rev. Fr. Nehemiah Nkom gave this charge on the Optional Memorial of the saint.
The clergyman described the Pope as one went beyond borders in search of peace for a fractured world, maintaining that Nigeria is currently in dire need of the likes of the saint.
“Pope John Paul II was a Pope of peace.” He asserted. “He travelled round the world reconciling all nations – a very good example for you and me, even in this parish. Peace is a virtue. Let people see you as an instrument of peace. We need people like that in Nigeria.”
“God is only dispenser of peace and He encourages us to be carriers and dispensers of peace anywhere we find ourselves. We say, ‘Peace be with you’ during the Mass because we are people of peace. But many of us scatter families instead of making peace. May God continue to grant us health and peace of mind and body!”
Fr. Nkom encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful of a better nation despite what is happeing at the moment even as he reminded that, “That peace will not come if we are not dispensers of peace.”
