5.2. Examples of our help
Addressing security challenges threatening the safety of religious sisters
In 1956 the Dominican missionary sisters were invited to build up a Christian presence in the Muslim dominated nor- th-west of Nigeria. The sisters started to carry out the most needed work through education, healthcare, grass-roots evangelization and social work. In 1973, the sisters saw an ur- gent need to begin the formation of Nigerian Dominican sis- ters who know the language, needs and culture of the local
work. The security threats have made the Dominican sisters realize the urgent need to protect the convent in order to de- ter bandits. Sr Justina concludes: “We are touching many lives of both Christians and Muslims. Despite the insecurity and challen- ges that we face, our community life keeps us together. It has been a source of joy and strength.”
population. This work bore fruit when in 1997 the mis- sionary sisters decided to hand over full leadership of the Nigerian Congregation to the local sisters in Gusau. The sisters are fostering dia- logue with people of diffe- rent faiths and tribes, as well as initiating and promoting ways to support and care for
The sisters in Zuru are also worried about increased insecurity in their region. Sr Nancy explains that there have been reports of killings of both civilians and military, including parents or guardians of some of their own pupils. “There has been massive
“Despite the insecurity and challenges that we face, our community life keeps us together. It has been a source of joy and strength”
displacement of people from their homes, they can no lon- ger freely go to their farms which are the major source of live- lihood, and the places of worship are also deserted. Life has been so difficult for many, and there has been an increase of burglary, prostitution and so on. Therefore, we are asking for support to fortify the fences of our community as we conti- nue to pray for God’s protection over us all”, Sr Nancy writes to ACN.
spiritually, morally and economically deprived youth. They build communities which encourage relationships of truth, unity and justice. Over the past years the various conflicts in Nigeria (especially in the northern part) have escalated. The area where the con- vent is situated has not been spared. The sisters report cases of bandits abducting people from their homes and places of
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