After  Easter, Justin went to visit some of the most conflict torn areas of Nigeria. Acting as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s envoy, and building on contacts he has already made over some 30 years and with over 50 visits, the trip gave Justin a chance to see the extent of the devastation in Jos and make recommendations for how the Church of England can offer further support to the Christians in that area. As well as how a process of reconciliation or conflict mediation could occur.

 

Justin was in part in Nigeria to pass on messages from the Archbishop to Archbishops Kwashi and Okoh but during his time there he travelled to meet local pastors and worship with local communities. It was there he heard horrific accounts of what is the daily reality for many in Nigeria and experienced the conflict in its daily expression.

 

The situation in that part of Nigeria is grim. Violence is commonplace. Villagers have been massacred and Christians in Nigeria feel that there is a concerted effort by Muslim radicals to gain control of Jos. In a society that has seen a breakdown in law and order there has been a complete breakdown of confidence in the security forces amid accusations of collusion. Justin heard many harrowing accounts of murder, rape and torture, and met many of the victims and their families.

 

“Suffering is an individual thing; hearing about it is one thing, sitting with a group of young men from a village where more than 350 had died in terrible attacks, is another. That battle had been a few days earlier, and many of thos we met spoke of their wives and children who died, before we went to the mass garve where they lie. Ltaer that day I sat with an eight year old, traumatized and silenced by a machine gun attack on her home a few hours before. There is little to say, and tears are better than words”

 

As with all conflict the causes are complex but centre around economic, ethnic and communal issues. But inevitably religion has become a factor.

 

Justin received a positive reaction to his visit and local Christians who deeply appreciated that the Archbishop of Canterbury had taken this action which was the first time in 23 years that many had felt such support. But he is clear that there is much the church can offer in terms of supporting a peace and reconciliation movement. The need is there and there are people with skills for leading mediation but they may need external support and funding.

 

Reconciliation is always long, Justin says “a week fo war makes for a generation of reconciliation work”. In Jos there are competent and even brilliant mediators, but in the midst of such killing finding traction for a cease fire is hard, for reconciliation is harder still.

 

The terrible violence in Nigeria puts the debates and discussions in our country into a different perspective. Linked as we are to Akure it is important that we make everyone aware of the situation and would urge all Christians to pray for our brothers and sisters in Nigeria. Justin may well be called to visit Nigeria again as envoy of the Archbishop and he clearly sees this as an important part of the mission of the Cathedral.