Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese, Most Rev. Paul Olawoore, has berated the Kwara State Government for enforcing hijab wearing in Christian schools in the state.
He said the Catholic authority is not in any agreement with the government over the use of hijab in mission schools.
The Bishop, however, warned people handling the matter with violence to desist.
He said, “I don’t want any confrontation that will inflict pain or any kind of injury on anybody. Neither do I wish that anyone should lose his or her life on this issue.”
Olawoore, who is also the Chairman of the Kwara State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, encouraged all to come together to show the world that peaceful coexistence and tolerance is the way to go, rather than apportioning blame or accusing one another derogatorily.
Meanwhile, CAN Director of Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue, Rev. Fr. Ralph Ajewole, debunked the report that Christians in the state had agreed on the use of hijab in government grant-aided missions schools, describing them as lies.
He said, “We insist that the Catholic Church rejects and condemns the use of hijab in our mission schools. No matter how hard anyone tries to change the narrative, we stand with CAN that the use of hijab is totally rejected in schools built and owned by Christians.”
The Catholic cleric also expressed disappointment in the government as its agents forceful breaking of schools’ gates under the watch of armed men.