Sir, - In recent days in Ireland an elderly nun has been raped and murdered near her home in broad delight and a young mother had her throat cut in her home. These kind of events in this country are also happening elsewhere in the world. This week I received news via the Jesuit order about a young woman named Safya, who was raped and gave birth to a son, and who as a result has been sentenced to death by stoning in a part of Nigeria where Islamic law prevails.
These terrible events have happened at a time when Christians throughout the world are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus. They challenge to its roots the religious faith of the Christian community in the abiding value of Jesus's liberation of the world from evil.
I urge readers, in the name of the dignity of women, of common humanity, and of a desire (if they are Christians) to show that Jesus has not died in vain in opposing violence against women in his day (for example, John 8:1-11) and (if they are Muslims) to reject a version of Islam that would sanction the stoning of a young mother, to write on behalf of Safya to the Nigerian embassy here in Dublin.
Here is part of the e-mail I received about her case: "A young Nigerian girl, Safya Husseini Tungar-Tudo, was raped some months ago. She was left pregnant as a result of the rape, and gave birth to a male child. According to Islamic law, Safya is a woman who has had a son outside marriage and who, therefore, must be subject to capital punishment.
"The sentence which the law lays down is this: the woman is to be buried in such a way that she is immobilised, with only her head and chest remaining above ground. Once buried in this way, she is to be stoned until she is dead.
"Meanwhile, the rapist has been absolved of all blame, for lack of proof. In these moments, Safya is in prison with her son, awaiting the final condemnation. It is hoped that, with international pressure, the President of Nigeria will grant her the grace of life."
While we are celebrating Christmas, Safya could be stoned to death. As my correspondent writes: "Many single women that we do not know have been killed by stoning, but now we know Safya and so she in this moment is part of our responsibility." - Yours, etc.,
Michael O'Sullivan SJ, North Circular Road, Dublin 7.