We Are at Peace: Under Christ's Pillars of World Civilization

By Vitalis Chi. Nwaneri

The world today is facing serious challenges of Peace, Development and Good Governance that threaten the state of modern Civilization. The Global Secular Governments, from the National to the United Nations levels, look helpless in confronting some of these challenges due to lack of co-operation between the Christian Western Nations and the Islamic and Communist members of the United Nations .

As the Members of the U.N. Debate endlessly, the crises in such countries as Syria continue without an end in sight. Christians in these countries continue to suffer and die because of the growing attacks , murders and kidnapping by extremist Islamic terrorists as well as persecutions, denial of Religious Freedom and oppression in the Communist ruled nations.
On the secular fronts Peaceful and progressive Good Secular Governance remains a dream for most countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America because of growing corruption and criminality despite centuries of modern civilization.
Poverty continues to grow in most countries of Africa and Asia despite decades of national and international development efforts
Faced with all these global developments, both the Secular and Religious Leaders across the world, including the Pope, the U.S. President and European Leaders and the President of the World Bank have all been expressing concerns over the worsening state of global peace, development and Freedom and the helplessness of the U.N.O and existing secular institutions to confront these challenges.
The Author brings into this Book his experience from a poor Nigeria village to Europe, America, Africa Asia and the Islamic Regions. Based on his Catholic education and global exposure, he provides fourteen Books as his contribution to the New Evangelization of The Catholic Church .His Books are his personal Reflections on the Global Challenges of Peace, Development and Poverty Reduction. Based on his Reflections, he dares to make fundamental Recommendations to global Secularity to strengthen the Christian Pillars of Faith, Equality of all people, Justice, Humility in service, Love and help to neighbors and Good Governance. These are the Pillars provided in the teaching of Christ and spread by His Church to become the foundation of modern Civilization and Peace enjoyed today in the World of Christ.
He calls on the world to compare the Peace in the Western Christian world with the crises and wars in the non-Christian Islamic and Communist worlds. They should resolve to co-operate with Christian Leaders to strengthen unity and Peace in the Christian world. They should co-operate despite the support of Islamic and Communist nations and the temptations of Satan to drive God out of the public square through its corruption of good principles like the separation of Christianity and Secular Governance and acts of disobedience of Gods commandments through sexuality , abortion, divorce and same sex marriages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499056105

Vitalis Chi. Nwaneri

Vitalis Chidomere Nwaneri, brings to these five Books, his experience in Religion, Economics, Politics, Science and Philosophy, and exposure in various advanced and developing countries across the globe. He acquired his experience from the Graduate School of The London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London (1962-1968). He joined the United Kingdom Government after his graduation and quickly rose to the position of an Economic Adviser by !970. He left the Government in 1971 to join the World Bank in Washington D.C. U.S.A. . He worked there till 1980 and rose to the position of a Senior Economist . At the World Bank, he traveled extensively across the globe and gained exposure and firsthand experience on some of the major Political, Economic and Social Development problems of the world .

Book preview

WE ARE

AT

PEACE

BOOK 14

Under Christ’s Pillars of World

Civilization

VITALIS CHI NWANERI

Copyright © 2014 by Vitalis Chi Nwaneri.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 09/12/2014

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

INTRODUCTORY SECTION

Chapter A Understanding The Peace Of Christ.

Chapter B Global Peace Depends Also On Our Perspective Of Life

Chapter C Conflicts Between Faith And Peace

Chapter D Three Pillars Or Philosphies Of Life

Chapter E Corruption Of Christ’s Pillars By Intellectuals

SECTION 1

SUMMARY OF GLOBAL LEADERS’ CONCERNS OVER CHALLENGES OF WORLD PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT

Chapter 1 Source Of Global Concerns

Chapter 2 Concerns On Global Development, Poverty, Communism And Terrorism

Chapter 3 The World Bank’s Concerns On Global Poverty

Chapter 4 Analysis Of The World Bank President’s Speech

Chapter 5 Outline Of Our Proposed Holistic Planning Strategy (Hps)

Chapter 6 Conflicts In Economic Development Theories

SECTION 2

HISTORICAL AND CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES OF GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Chapter 7 Historical Perspectives Of Globalisation From B.c. To A.d.

Chapter 8 Unity Between Christianity And Secularity

Chapter 9 Challenges Of Unity In Policies Against Global Terrorism

Chapter 10 Challenges Of Unity Within Christianity

Chapter 11. Separation Of Secularity And Christianity

Chapter 12 Corruption Of The Principle Of Separation Of Church And State

Chapter 13 Catholic Perspectives Of Global Challenges

Chapter 14 Christ’s Promise Of Peace

Chapter 15 Religious Perspectives On Development Challenges

SECTION 3

UNITED NATIONS PERSPECTIVES

Chapter 16 Historical Background

Chapter 17 Frustrations Of The United Nations Organization

Chapter 18 Promoting Unity And Co-Operation Among Christian Members Of The U.n.

Chapter 19 Reminders On The Pillars Of The U.n.o.

Chapter 20 Examples Of Global Islamic Extremist Terrorism

Chapter 21 Challenges Of Co-Operation At National Level – Example Of U.s. Experience

Chapter 22 God Established Secular And Religious Governance To Serve Man’s Needs Effectively

Chapter 23 Satan’s Corruption Of Love Through Sexuality

SECTION 4

INDIVIDUAL ROLES IN PROMOTING PEACE, DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY REDUCTION –EXAMPLES FROM AUTHORS OWN EXPERIENCE

Chapter 24 Importance Of Individual Roles In Advancing Peace, Development And Poverty Reduction

Chapter 25 Introduction —Author’s Own Confessions On His Experience

Chapter 26 My Experience In The

U.k. Government Service

Chapter 27 My Experience At World Bank

SECTION 5

BACK TO NIGERIA

Chapter 28 Confronting Nigeria’s Challenges On Poverty Reduction

Chapter 29 The Warfront Of My First Mission To Expand Banking In Nigeria

Chapter 30 Promoting My Mission Through The First African Commodity Exchange (Facomex) Project

Chapter 31 The Warfront Of Oil Trading

Chapter 32 African Economic Integration

Chapter 33 Turning To The Rest Of Africa

SECTION 6

BACK TO THE USA

Chapter 34 Back To The U.s.a.

Chapter 35 Advancing Diaspora Remittances To Africa

Chapter 36 A Proposal For Establishing The African Diaspora Bond—AFDB

OPENING PRAYER FOR PEACE WITH CHRIST

To God, Father Almighty —

Let all souls magnify the Lord,

Let them rejoice and be at Peace,

For He had given us great victory over Satan, our enemy,

Let all mouths sing with joy,

Let all tongues sing Alleluia,

For He had saved us from the dungeon of His enemy,

Let all peoples rise and proclaim His mighty power,

Through His infinite love and mercy,

He sent His only Son to redeem us with His blood,

Glory and Honor to Jesus, the Lord of our Salvation,

Holy be His Name for all eternity,

For He had done great favor to us,

Let all minds praise His Holy Spirit,

From creation to this day,

He continues to show us the Way, the Truth and the Life,

Let the whole world honor His Mother, Mary,

Through Her faith, suffering and blessed life,

She brought us the fruit of Her womb,

Whose foot had crushed the head of our enemy,

Yes, indeed, all creation shall call Her Blessed,

May the Lord open the eyes and ears of our Rulers,

So that they can see and avoid the enemy,

Let them know it for what it is,

The master of lies, deceptions and false promises,

Henceforth, let all peoples hate its ways,

And resolve to fight it with all their strength,

Let us drive away its evils out of our lives,

So that we may carry our crosses like Jesus,

And follow Him, Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life

May our Intellectuals open their eyes and ears to the truth,

And avoid driving God out of our public square,

So that His pillars of our lives and governance,

May be strengthened rather than be corrupted,

And we may be ruled with Peace under One God,

Here on earth and be with Him forever in heaven,

Amen.

MY APPRECIATION TO –

THE WORLD BANK AND OAPAD

May I express my humble Appreciation to the World Bank for giving me the opportunity to be exposed to the Global Challenges that I reflect upon in this Book.

As I expressed in Introductory Section of this Book, I welcome the Address of the President, Jim Yong Kim, at the last Spring Meeting of the Bank and join the rest of the world to congratulate him for making such a historic Address in the history of the Bank . Indeed, his Concern on the poor state of global development trends, stirred me to have the audacity to present in this Book my humble Reflections, comments and Recommendations on the Way Forward in advancing Development and Poverty Reduction in the developing countries… I call on Economists to rise up and confront the Concerns of the President and other Global Leaders on current Challenges of Development, Peace, Progress and Poverty Reduction. We must address these concerns over the growing ineffectiveness of traditional development strategies in confronting problems of poverty reduction. The traditional trickle down theory of development on which we had relied to bring down poverty had failed to yield its expected results of redistributing wealth from the rich to the poor .Furthermore, the World Bank’s traditional reliance on Government officials for its projects had contributed, in some corrupt countries, to the ineffectiveness of the Bank’s projects in confronting poverty in developing countries.

The Bank must therefore find ways to engage with other non-Government entities to ensure that its projects reach the poor. In this Book, I offer some suggestions on new directions to address poverty in the developing nations such as boosting Remittances from the Diaspora to Africa through an African Diaspora Bond. My contribution in this regard reflects my practical experience in my rural impoverished village of Amaimo in Imo state of Nigeria. It also reflects my experience as a Former Senior Project Economist at the World Bank, former Economic Adviser in the U.K. Government, a Founding Chairman of one of Nigeria’s pioneer Investment Banks and Consultant to International Development Agencies like the World Bank, African Development Bank, USAID and the Nigerian Government and Private Agencies.

All the views expressed in the Book are mine and I am responsible for any errors that might have been made in these Books.

Finally my Appreciation goes to the Organization of African Professionals and Associates in the Diaspora, O.A.P.A.D Inc. under which these Books are provided as My Contribution to the success of The New Evangelization of The Catholic Church

VITALIS CHIDOMERE NWANERI

Founding Chairman of The OAPAD Inc

PREFACE

Any objective assessment of the World today would conclude that we are indeed confronting serious Global challenges of Peace, Development, Freedom and Good governance as we march through the 21st Century.

In this Book, the Author reflects over the Concerns expressed by Global Secular and Religious Leaders over these challenges. He provides Christian perspectives of these challenges and calls on Global Leaders to find time to reflect on the Christian principles that had been the roots of secular laws and the pillars on which modern civilization was built and sustained for over two thousand years since the coming of Christ. These years are referred in world history as the Anno Domino (A.D.) the years of Christ. This age is different from the age Before Christ (B.C.) which was ruled under Satan’s own pillars of enslavement, oppression persecution, inequality and lack of human rights and freedom for everyone. In some parts of the world today these satanic pillars still characterize secular governance. According to the Author, the gradual erosion of the traditional Christian Pillars is the cause of the growing challenges of Peace, Freedom and Good Governance in the civilized Western Christian world.

He attributes these challenges to the work of the evil spirit that Christians describe as Satan or Devil. He argues that any one who objectively views the crises and wars over the world history and the situation in most Islamic nations today would clearly agree that these crises have their spiritual causes by Satan.

He therefore calls on the Leaders of the Christian world to strengthen their Christian Pillars of Governance and restrain from driving God out of their lives and the Public Square.

I share his call and therefore recommend this Book to all people in public service.

Prof. Green Nwankwo PhD

–Formerly Professor of Economics and Deputy Governor of Central Bank in Nigeria

INTRODUCTORY SECTION

CHAPTER A

UNDERSTANDING THE PEACE OF CHRIST.

1. Background to Book Title

It is important to open this Book with a brief explanation of its Title. In a world of today that is facing wars, crises and conflicts all around us; it may be difficult to understand that the World of Christ is at Peace. When one views the challenges of Christians who had been among the most persecuted, oppressed, kidnapped people on earth our Title looks even more questionable to the non-Christian world. . They are also facing the challenges of denial of their Religious freedom in most parts of the non-Christian world. For these reasons, Christians view sufferings differently from non-Christians .They view it as part of their Faith. What then does one mean by the Peace of Christ?

2. Global Mission of Peace

There is a second reason for addressing this question. Our Books are our response to the Pope’s call on the Laity in the Catholic Church to rise up and move into the secular world and contribute to the Mission of the New Evangelization. The Laity must be prepared to answer this question which is certain to be asked by their Secular Audience.

Today, the main mission of Religious and Secular Governance, from the family to the world levels is the Promotion of Peace and Development. This is therefore a major part of the mission of the New Evangelization. If the world of Christ is at Peace, why does its Peace not extend to the Secular world? Rather we see an explosion of conflicts and wars whenever there is a convergence between the Christian and the non-Christian worlds. These are the questions being explored in these two Books on the Title "WE ARE AT PEACE WITH CHRIST ".

We cannot discuss the global challenges of today without first addressing these questions.

3. The State of Peace depends on Faith.

To find the answer to the above question, we had to understand the meaning of Christian Peace to see if it is different from the Peace the Secular world is promoting. The reason why the Secular world is not seeking the Christian Peace may be because the Christian type of Peace is different from the one the secular world is seeking.

Therefore we must go to the source of the "Peace with Christ" in order to understand it.

Based on our understanding of Christian teaching, the root of the Christian concept of Peace with Christ may be seen in the following statement of Christ,

"I have come to bring you Peace, the peace that this world cannot give "(John 14: Vs. 27)

If one objectively analyses this statement, three factors are evident from it.

a. Peace is based on Faith. This is true today all across the globe. The state of peace is different in each Religious Faith. We see the state of Peace in the Christian democratic western world different from the state of Peace in the Islamic, Communist and Judaist worlds. .If the state of Peace is based on Faith, perhaps the secular world cannot accept Christ’s Peace because of differences between Christian Faith and other Faiths across the world

b. There are other types of Peace in the world

The second part of Christ’s statement above implies that there are other types of Peace in the world that are different from the Peace that He brought. Therefore we must view these other types of peace to see if they emanate from the differences in Faiths.

c. The Promise of His Peace is made to His Followers only.

The first part of His statement makes it clear that the Peace He brought is only for His Apostles to whom he was speaking. Accordingly the peace He promised is available only to the successors of His Apostles and their followers who were later called Christians. However, it is available to everyone who follows their Faith in Christ’s teaching.

4. Implications for Secular Promotion of Global Peace

Four types of Peace

Based on the three factors above, it is evident that there are four types of Peace all corresponding to four types of Faiths across the world.

1. The Peace of Christ in the Christian western democratic world

2. The Islamic type of Peace in the Muslim world.

3. The Communist type of Peace in their Atheist system of governance

4. The Judaist Peace in the Jewish world

Because of these differences, the political systems are different. The Political system corresponds with their Faiths. The Western Christian Democratic system reflects the Christian Pillars of Governance –freedom to practice all of Faiths, equality of all people created in God’s image, love of God and all neighbors including our enemies and humility in service to all peoples and help to the poor in the society. These are the pillars or principles that had sustained Democracy and civilization in the Christian West.

Christ was therefore right to make it clear that the Peace He brought cannot be given by the other worlds because His Christian Democratic Western world is clearly more peaceful today than the other three worlds. What is the implication for the modern world’s promotion of Global Peace?

5. Greater Co-operation between the four worlds

If the Peace of Christ is based on Faith in Christ, then the secular world can only access that peace by promoting greater Unity and co-operation between the world of Christ and the rest of the world. This is the main recommendation in these two Books. We made this recommendation after extensively analyzing the Peace in the world before Christ and the present world since His coming to the world. In our analyses, we saw clearly that the world before Christ and the present world of non –Christians have less Peace than the world of Christ. We saw that the world before Christ became more peaceful after accepting the principles or Pillars of Christ’s teaching in their secular governance. Perhaps the present worlds of non-Christians, the Islamic, Judaist and Communist worlds which are clearly less peaceful than the Christian Democratic world should consider accepting these Pillars in their secular Governance than continue with their own pillars based on their own Faiths . This may be controversial but not unrealistic. The main source of global crises today is the wars to destroy the Christian world and replace it with the other three worlds. This is the mission of the Extremist Islamic world and the Communist world. This is the main challenge before Christians today.

6. Christ came to bring wars and persecutions to His Followers

Christ was therefore right to predict that He came also to bring wars and persecution to His followers from the family to the global levels. He said that at the Family level, "Fathers will be fighting Mothers, Brothers fighting sisters".

In John 15:18—21 He said to His Disciples –

If the world hates you, remember it hated me before you. If you belonged to the world, the world will love you as its own; but because you do not belong to this world, it will hate you. If the world persecuted me, it will persecute you too. Remember that if they kept my word they will keep your words too. A servant is not greater than the Master.

They will persecute you on my account.

These statements of Jesus made over two thousand years ago, describe clearly the challenges before Christians from His time to the present. These are the challenges facing the Christian Western world in their