Africa’s Traditional “deep spirituality, rich culture” Foster Religious Freedom: Catholic Bishop at IRF Summit

Bishop Mamza noted that in African traditional religion, there was no imposition of belief systems. “It is part and parcel of the worship of an African traditionalist that he does not impose his religion or culture on somebody else,” he said.

Citing Nigeria, with its more than 400 distinct languages and traditional belief systems, the Catholic Bishop argued that the framework for religious freedom in modern Africa should be inspired by African traditional values.

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Yola during a panel discussion at the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. Credit: ACI Africa

“There are so many values in African traditional religions that we can even say are not obtainable in some of these religions that we worship—compassion, hospitality, the community spirit—very deep-rooted in Africa,” the SECAM Second Vice President said.

The Nigerian Catholic Bishop, who has been recognized widely for his peace initiatives in the West African nation said, “In the traditional society, somebody will leave his bedroom to go and sleep outside, so that the kids that he has never met can go in and put up in his room… even the best meal that you don't ordinarily eat, an African will prepare for that feast.”

Bishop Mamza lamented the decline of these values in the face of rising violence across the continent, particularly in Nigeria, his home country.

Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Yola. Credit: ACI Africa

“Things have changed as soon as before, and we see a lot of violence across Africa. I can say, we can blame the leadership of the two major religions. Those who are inflicting violence are doing so little, while the majority are quiet,” he said.

He went on to recount his own experience of responding to the Boko Haram crisis with concrete acts of interreligious solidarity. 

“I built a mosque as a mission. I took care of internally displaced people in my neighborhood when Boko Haram took over half of my city. I built a church, I built a school, and houses for both Christians and Muslims,” the Local Ordinary of Yola Diocese said, referring to his initiative to build a mosque for Muslims and homes for the displaced in his Episcopal See.

Credit: ACI Africa

But his actions were met with opposition from both sides, he recalled, and explained, “I was persecuted by the Muslims. Why should an infidel build a mosque for a Muslim to go and pray inside? I was also persecuted by the Christians. Why should you go and build a mosque instead of building a church? Nobody could understand.”

Bishop Mamza went on to recognize the long-term success of his efforts, saying, “At the end of the day, these people are living peacefully in the same community now.”

Credit: ACI Africa

He called for a collective commitment from Africa’s key influencers to end religious intolerance. “The key persons that should be involved should be the world leaders, the religious leaders, the traditional leaders, and the community leaders in Africa.”

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Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza and John Cardinal Onaiyekan. Credit: ACI Africa

“If these four agree in any part of Africa regarding religious freedom, there will be no conflict, and everybody will be able to worship freely, because that is part of our culture,” Bishop Mamza said.

Realized under the theme, “Africa Together: A Continental Call to Religious Freedom”, the IRF Summit sought to explore “the impact of government actions on religious freedom”.

Credit: ACI Africa

In a series of sessions, the co-chairs of the IRF Summit “and an array of civil society leaders from across the continent” facilitated discussions around “the context, the challenges, and the path forward for freedom of religion and belief” in the world’s second largest and second most populous continent after Asia in both cases.