By Padre Michael Nsikak Umoh
The first 2022 plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) which opened on Sunday, 6 March 2022 ended today, Thursday 10 March with the closing Mass, during which the Bishops released a communique.During the five days of deep, mature and utmost critical deliberations, the prelates started each day with adoration by 6am, followed by the celebration of the Holy Mass.
The first session of each day commenced by 9am and often lasted beyond 2.30pm. Many issues concerning the sacramental, liturgical and spiritual life of the church were discussed, as well as the lifestyle of priests and relationship between dioceses and religious bodies. The Bishops were also very concerned about the plight of youths in Nigeria and the negative impact of the ongoing industrial strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).Similarly, the ugly state of the nation was also a big source of worry to the Church leaders as they deliberated.In the end, the Conference produced new leaders to manage their affairs for the next four years. They are: Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Owerri as the President and Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso of Kaduna Archdiocese as Vice President. Bishop Donatus Ogun, OSA of Uromi diocese is the Secretary, while Bishop Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo of Abeokuta Diocese is the Assistant Secretary. Other Bishops elected to oversee various departments of the Catholic Secretariat who are also members of the Administrative Board include: Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos Archdiocese as the CBCN Chairman for Church & Society Department; Archbishop Valerian Okeke of Onitsha Archdiocese as the CBCN Chairman for Pastoral Agents Department; Bishop Stephen Mamza of Yola diocese as the CBCN Chairman for Mission & Dialogue Department; Bishop Augustine Echema of Aba diocese as the CBCN Chairman for Pastoral Affairs Department and Bishop David Ajang of Lafia diocese as the CBCN Chairman for the Directorate of Social Communications.
Besides, many other Bishops were also elected to head the various units of the different departments.
