Bishop Onyia preaches love at Easter

The Bishop, Diocese of Nike (Anglican Communion), Rt. Revd. Dr. Christian Onyeka Onyia has urged Nigerians to reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and rededicate themselves to living in peace, oneness and love of God, as Christians all over the world celebrate Easter.

In an Easter message he made available to newsmen in Enugu, yesterday, Bishop Onyia said that despite rising insecurity in states across the federation, Nigerians should not lose trust in God.

He advocated for peace in the country, noting, “peace and unity are the prerequisites to the progress and development of the entire country.”

Bishop Onyia also condemned rising cases of violence against women in different forms, suggesting, “no one should remain in an abusive marriage”.

He said: “The feast of Easterlies at the heart of our Christian faith. At the start of our forty-day Lenten journey, through the mark of ashes in the sign of the cross, we were reminded that, as humans, we would die. Yes, everyone will die, sooner or later. Nevertheless, because of Christ’s resurrection, death no longer has any claim upon us. At the Easter celebrations, these ashes are washed away when we are “soaked” with the Easter water with which the elect are baptised! We know that God has the ultimate say. God’s Word for us is the same as His Word for Jesus Christ, who was crucified, died, laid in the tomb and resurrected. He lives; and, therefore, we do. We live in Him.

“Jesus’ death and resurrection is the reason why we know that there is an answer to the darkness and fragility of this world. There is hope and redemption. There is a light, which cannot be overcome. We must, therefore, live for others by making many small daily sacrifices that support the poor and strangers within and in faraway places. While we enjoy the blessed promise that we would live forever with Him, those who wait, who long for our solidarity and support, must be cared for. Our faith in Christ, our hope in the fullness of life with Him and our love for one another must be deepened and enhanced.

“At this Easter, despite the mindless and indiscriminate attack on individuals, institutions, private, religious and other public facilities, I urge all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to living in peace and oneness with all. Peace and unity are the prerequisites to the progress and development of the entire country. Ethnicities, religious beliefs or places of origin should not continue to divide our nation. As a nation, we must abhor religious and ethnic hate and division amongst ourselves.

“Violence against women in all its forms, be it physical, sexual, emotional or verbal, is never justified. It’s both a sin and a crime. No one should remain in an abusive marriage. Marriages are broken by violence and abuse rather than divorce. An abuser, through abusive behavior, breaks the marriage covenant. Christians, and, indeed, all, need to respond with compassion, solidarity and care for the suffering and the most vulnerable.

“Easter calls us to promote, with renewed vigour, the sanctity of human life with thankful and cheerful hearts. This is the time of forgiveness, too. However, forgiveness does not mean forgetting abuse or claiming that it has not happened. Forgiveness is not permission for the repetition of abuse. On the contrary, forgiveness means that the victim decides to let go of the experience, to move on in life and no longer tolerate abuse of any kind”.

He continued: “I urge well-meaning Nigerians and governments at all levels to help our unemployed youth learn new skills and start their own businesses. To confront the growing insecurity in our country and enjoy the peace we all seek, our young people should be mentored and encouraged to succeed. So, it takes a great deal of sacrifice on the part of each and every one of us.

“In these unusual times we must find, in our faith, the power and determination to proclaim: He has risen. Let us live in the light that Jesus shows us as we endeavour to love as He has shown us”.