by P.J Usanga
The Catholic Church in Nigeria joined the global Catholic community in commemorating the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) on September 29, 2024, marking a historic first simultaneous celebration across arch/dioceses nationwide.
The event, observed annually since 1914, aims to express concern, demonstrate support, and pray for migrants while raising awareness about migration opportunities. With the themed “God walks with His people,” the Church showed solidarity with vulnerable migrants and refugees.
The exercise was coordinated by the Migrants and Refugees Unit of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), which was established by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in 2023. The establishment of the unit, was to key into the vision of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who has made migration an important focus of his pontificate.
In July this year, the Episcopal Chairman of the Unit, and Bishop of Kotangora, Most Rev. Yohanna Bulus, launched the Spiritual Advocacy for Migrants and Refugees initiative โ a country-wide programme of reflection, prayer and spiritual support for migrants. The spiritual exercise, was to serve as a prelude and resource to this yearโs WDMR celebration.
Arch/Diocesan units as well as Religious Congregations initiated and coordinated a wide-range of programmes, including; spiritual, pastoral, enlightenment, and humanitarian activities, prayers and seminars, advocacy visits to agencies and stakeholders, inauguration of new units in dioceses and life-sustaining interventions for migrants, IDPs, and refugees.
Participating arch/dioceses included; Jos, and Benin Archdioceses, and Uromi, Minna, Bauchi, Yola, Nsukka, Katsina-Ala, Shendam, Pankshin Dioceses as well as the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles.
