MIL OSI Translation. Region: Italy –
Source: The Holy See in Italian
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – “The burden of debt has proved to be a new form of slavery for present and future generations” say the Bishops of Nigeria, in the statement published at the end of their second Plenary Assembly held from 22 to 30 August in the diocese of Auchi, in the State of Edo. In the document, the Bishops recall the right of Nigerians to peacefully protest against the economic policy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “Our people have recently undertaken a protest as the Nigerian economy continues to deteriorate and reduces millions of citizens to a life of abhorrent poverty and unspeakable hardship. We note that Nigerians have the constitutional right to express their grievances through peaceful protests”. Unfortunately, the Prelates note, the protests have been hijacked by criminal elements while “security agents, who are normally supposed to protect citizens during protests, have resorted to threats, intimidation and blackmail to dissuade citizens from protesting and, in some cases, have been alleged to have committed extrajudicial killings.” The austerity policy decided by the government is enforced by Nigeria’s public debt service. “We note that servicing huge debts to international monetary agencies and subsequently raising funds internally to balance budget deficits have given rise to the government’s current economic reforms, consisting mainly of the withdrawal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the national currency (Naira). We are aware that these reforms have triggered rampant inflation that has reduced most Nigerians to a life of cruel suffering and misery,” the Bishops say. “We therefore call on the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider its policies of economic reform, in order to alleviate the burden of hardship on citizens and promote people’s development.” The statement suggests adopting some policies to mitigate the impact of inflation on the population. First, support farmers with subsidies, subsidized loans, modern technologies and improved seeds (but not genetically modified ones) and provide aid to small and medium-sized food businesses. There is also an urgent need for reform of the taxation system that currently consists of a series of federal, state and local taxes that strangle businesses. Finally, on the ecclesial level, the Bishops warn the faithful against “those who, while claiming to be Catholic, establish “ministries” that are not under the pastoral or spiritual guidance of any competent ecclesiastical authority. In fact, no ministry, association or institution can bear the name of Catholic without the express permission of the competent authority”. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2024) Share:
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
