Archbishop Okoh’s Easter message

Posted on April 6, 2010 
Filed under News

The central message of the Christian Gospel is that God through Christ was reconciling the world to Himself and has given us the ministry of reconciliation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By this, the walls of hostilities erected in the past by human prejudices and racial idiosyncrasies had been pulled down. God is now available to whoever approaches Him with an open and clean hearts.

This means that in Christ, there is a new community that finds its anchorage and power in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Consequently, there is both unfettered relationship vertically and horizontally.

The Christian Community which came out of the life of Christ, therefore, is a community of peace irrespective of race, religion, sex, ethnicity or economic status. As we celebrate the victory of Christ, in the resurrection over the power of sin, death and evil of all descriptions, we call on all Nigerians, Christians and non-christians alike to seek, pursue and promote peace in their different local contexts.

It must be emphasized that the frequent disturbances in our country are avoidable distractions. Therefore, in the interest of peace, which is a pre-requisite for good government, economic growth, industrial peace and harmony as well as the general well-being of Nigerians, we call upon leaders at all levels across religious boundaries, to enjoin their followers to be bearers of the message of peace in their utterances and actions. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” John 14:27.

The Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh
Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria
4th April, 2010

– from the Church of Nigeria website.