5.2. Examples of our help
A Trauma Centre for healing in Maiduguri - Caring for the wounded and traumatized
The threat of Boko Haram may have subsided from the Diocese of Maiduguri, and north-eastern Nigeria in general, but the ho- rrors inflicted by the group remain in the forms of physical and mental wounds in the people who suffered. Education is the main weapon in this new fight. “This is a prio-
Lady of Fatima, we reconsecrated our diocese to the Immacula- te Heart of Mary. People feel spiritually uplifted, and encouraged, and it makes them ready to forgive. People carry grudges against Boko Haram members who killed their loved ones, but they now have the ability to forgive. They see Jesus hanging on the cross,
having forgiven his executioners, and they, too, gain the courage to forgive.” Aid to the Church in Need has been a key partner in helping fund many of the pro- jects the diocese is carrying out to resto- re dignity to its people and strengthen peace in the region. Many of the retur- ning families require support to rebuild their lives, since the federal government has, according to the bishop, not lived up to its obligations in this field. These
rity for our diocese, especially for the refugees who have returned. We have taken it upon ourselves to make sure the children get an edu- cation, from primary school even, if possible, to university. This is key to defeating Boko Haram. When peo- ple have training to secure their li- velihood, then they don’t go and kill people”, says Bishop Oliver Doeme. Priests play a very important role in
“We are weak, tired and scared. We hope God will fight for us”
projects range from material and psychological support for re- turnees, scholarships for children, financial aid for widows and orphans and also for priests and religious. “We are very thankful to ACN for this help”, says Bishop Oliver.
helping the local population, but the diocese is also concerned with the psychological well-being of its clergy. “One of the pro- grams we have begun is trauma counselling for the priests. Our priests were invited to this trauma counselling and they returned very joyful and very thankful. Our female religious also went and returned strengthened.” One of the most important areas in which the diocese invests is in promoting forgiveness, especially now that many Boko Haram members are being reintegrated into society. “On the feast of Our
Original article: https://acninternational.org/nigeria-we-are-weak- tired-and-scared-we-hope-god-will-fight-for-us/
- 34 -
Powered by FlippingBook