2019 polls: Cardinal Onaiyekan enjoins Nigerians to pray for peace

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has enjoined all Nigerians to pray for peaceful, free, fair and credible general elections in 2019, declaring that Nigeria needs peace and unity to end the wanton killings and blood shedding.

Cardinal Onaiyekan made this appeal at the weekend in his homily during the launch of the second phase of fund raising to complete the construction of the new Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Abuja.

The cathedral of the Twelve Apostles is currently undergoing construction at the Pope John Paul II (Papal Ground) Karsana District, Kubwa Expressway, Abuja.

“Let keep praying for an end to the violence perpetrated by deadly weapons, or cold indifference. May our homes, our nation, and countries around the world become havens of peace.

“Let us pray for the grace to see every human being as a child of God, regardless of race, religion, language or culture.

“Let us pray to the Lord for the strength to teach our children how to resolve differences non -violently and respectfully, and the courage to model it in our own behaviour,” he said.

Cardinal Onaiyekan appealed to Catholics and all people of goodwill to raise assist the Abuja archdiocese N900million for the completion of the first phase of the new cathedral project.

He expressed gratitude for previous donations, which amounted to N1billion which he said was judiciously utilized, adding that the money took the project from foundation to its present level.

The cardinal appealed to the Catholic faithful to should contribute generously to the building of the new cathedral, since it was a life time opportunity so that their names would be written for generations to come to know those who built the house of worship for the Lord.

“I am thankful for those who have contributed in the past for us to have what we have now. One billion naira was contributed and it has been used. What you see here is what the money you contributed was used for.

“We need N900million to enable us complete the first phase of this project. When this first phase is completed, it will lift us to a usable stage. The second phase will be fittings and furnishing.

“This is a life time opportunity and I want every one of us seated here to write their names on this project.

“This cathedral, if completed, is meant to last up to 300 years. That means that generations to come will see your name as those who have contributed in building the house of worship for God,” he added.