Pope frowns at tribalism

Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis, has urged Christians in Nigeria to stop being sectional, and take the moral high ground.

Pope Francis, who took a swipe at churches that had opposed the appointment of Most Rev. Peter Okpalaeke as bishop of Ekwulobia on the basis of his dialect, urged Christian communities in the country to act as true followers of Jesus Christ by showing love to all.

Represented by the papal nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi, the pope said it was wrong of any Christian community to reject a bishop because of his state of origin and dialect.

He added that tribalism makes those who call themselves Christians forget that Jesus Christ has made us all brothers and sisters in his blood and in the sacrament of baptism.