Yes, it's hard to forgive, but not forgiving will never bring peace.
Thus said a Catholic bishop in Nigeria during the burial service for nine of the victims of a massacre that took place last April.
Fulani herdsmen attacked a community in the town of Nimbo in southeastern Nigeria's Enugu State, killing scores of people. The killers also slaughtered livestock and destroyed properties, including a church, the Catholic News Agency reports.
"Although we may find it hard to forgive the violent attack that has brought us so much grief, we know that an unforgiving spirit will never bring us peace," said Bishop Godfrey Igwebuike Onah of Nsukka during the June 17 burial service at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nimbo.
The bishop told the mourners that instead of harbouring hatred for the killers, they should "turn to God in gratitude, with faith, hope and charity."
"We are grateful to God, our merciful Father, that some of us are still alive today to bury and mourn our dead," he said, suggesting that if the attackers had their way, they would have killed everyone.
"Our faith assures us that those who die in the Lord are freed from the sorrows of this life and rest forever in the calm security of God's love in heaven," he said.
Anglican pastors joined Catholic clergy in the service.
Bishop Onah prayed that the charity and solidarity of the community will "help us to overcome our bitterness."
"We also thank God for the way in which he has shown us his love in these months of pain and sorrow, through the constant presence and help of persons, institutions and organisations from far and near," the bishop added. "May he continue to bless all those who have allowed themselves to be used as instruments of his love and consolation."
