Biography Narrative

REV. SR. AGATHA OGOCHUKWU CHIKELUE is a Nigerian Catholic Nun from the Congregation of Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM). She is the Secretary of the Interreligious Dialogue Office of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja and Co-Chair of the Women of Faith Peacebuilding Network (WOFPN). Sr. Agatha holds a B.Sc. in Public Administration and M.Sc. in International Affairs and Diplomacy. Her interest in peacebuilding and interreligious dialogue began some years ago as a result of the incessant ethno-religious violence in her home country of Nigeria. Her hunger for peace at this period manifested in efforts to bridge divides across religious and ethnic lines in the country. Sr. Agatha’s passion for peaceful coexistence in Nigeria motivated her to build a network of Christian and Muslim women united against violence and working for peace in Nigeria. Her years of experiences peacebuilding in Nigeria has brought about an understanding that peacebuilding and development are linked but cannot be achieved without justice, forgiveness and reconciliation. She has also learned that gender plays an important role in disputes, negotiating and resolving differences. She believes in a non-violent approach to conflict through dialogue and through actively involving women in peace processes.
16. Ashin Mandalarlankara

Interreligious Activities and Initiatives

Developing Interreligious Dialogue skills among Women and Youths in Nigeria for Peace

Nigeria as a multi-religious and multi-ethnic Country has experienced different kinds of conflicts arising from ethnic and religious differences. This has resulted into ethno-religious violence, hatred, lack of trust and suspicion between and among people of different culture and religion in Nigeria. In order to give peace a chance in Nigeria, engaging women and youth in a sincere heart to heart interreligious dialogue will help to fill the vacuum create by violence. Engaging in an interreligious dialogue will not be possible unless people are empowered to do so; this is why there is a great need for training both women and youth for this great task of making peace in Nigeria through dialogue among people of faith.