President of Ireland Links Massacre in Nigeria to Climate Change
The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, has linked the massacre of Christians in Owo, Nigeria to climate change.
Higgins made the statement on 7 June, two days after the massacre that saw the death of over 50 Christians at St Francis’ Roman Catholic Church.
He said,
“As President of Ireland, and on behalf of the people of Ireland, may I express my deepest condolences to the families of all those killed and injured in Owo District of Nigeria in the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, as they marked Pentecost Sunday.
“That such an attack was made in a place of worship is a source of particular condemnation, as is any attempt to scapegoat pastoral peoples who are among the foremost victims of the consequences of climate change.
“The neglect of food security issues in Africa, for so long has brought us to a point of crisis that is now having internal and regional effects based on struggles, ways of life themselves.
“The solidarity of us all, as peoples of the world, is owed to all those impacted not only by this horrible event but in the struggle by the most vulnerable on whom the consequences of climate change have been inflicted.”
Higgins is not noted for his religious observance but is widely viewed as an avuncular man with a socialist past. He is in his second term as President of Ireland. At re-election in 2018, he received the most votes of any politician in Irish history.
