By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
The Catholic Church in Nigeria says citizens have continued to suffer because people at the helm of affairs do not genuinely listen to their scream for comfort.
In a homily titled, “listening brings peace” the National Director for Social Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Padre Mike Umoh at a Holy mass in commemoration of the World Communications Day 2022 at Saint Gabriel’s Chaplaincy, Durumi Abuja, urged Christians to show love to achieve lasting unity.
According to him, unity is only possible through communication, and communication is not possible without listening, therefore listening should be more than mere physical listening and has to be amplified with media literacy which helps citizens in democracy.
He said when listening with the ear of the heart, one is able to empathise, have true dialogue and authentic communication which is founded on the respect for the dignity of the human person and an awareness of their inalienable right to speak and to be heard.
The Director noted that disunity in the world, communities, families and homes can be traced largely to failure to listening to one another and urged the World to listen to the Church as God continues to communicate with humanity through the Church, which is the bearer and custodian of God’s revelation, and He (God) has entrusted the task of authentically interpreting his word to the church.
He stressed that if perpetrators of different atrocities in Nigeria such as unlawful killing, banditry, kidnapping among others, or Nigerian politicians, had listened to Jesus, they would have surely acted otherwise as listening is a virtue all needs to cultivate in their daily interactions.
The World Communications Day, was established by Pope Paul VI in 1967 to annually celebrate the Sunday before Pentecost as World Communications Day by reflecting on the opportunities and challenges that the media afford the Church to communicate the gospel of Christ, and how using the technology impact on society and life of the people.
In an Interview, the Secretary General of CSN, Very Reverend Father Zacharia Samjumi, who represented The Bishop Chairman for Social Communications, Most Rev. David Ajang, the Bishop of Lafia Diocese, said politicians will become more sensitive to the plight of the masses if they listen.
According to him, even if politicians choose to remain adamant in their belief, the masses should listen to their inner minds so as to be able to make right choices while electing
leaders.
