By Rev. Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh, CSN
- The president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, yesterday,at the opening session of their first plenary assembly in 2024, gave a welcome address to declare the plenary open. He expressed his joy and gratitude for the gathering of the bishops and other faithful in Abuja, and strongly acknowledged the hardship Nigerians were going through as a result of bad policies and mismanagement of the economy. He then painted a bleak picture of the current state of the nation, highlighting the problems of insecurity, violence, land grabbing, economic crisis, poverty, and hunger. He called for urgent action from the government and the church to address the numerous challenges and restore hope and dignity to Nigerians. He especially urged his fellow bishops to use the opportunity of the plenary assembly to reflect on their pastoral mission and to renew their commitment to evangelization and social justice.
- The archbishop picked holes in the government’s reform agenda, which he said has only further worsenedthe economic hardship, poverty, and inflation for millions of Nigerians. The CBCN president denounced the corruption, extravagance, and insensitivity of many public officials, who have, mindlessly and with impunity, looted the nation’s resources and betrayed the trust of the people. He further laments the high unemployment rate, which has driven many youths to drugs, crime, migration, and human trafficking. He called for a change of attitude and a commitment to social justice from both the government and the church.
- Furthermore, the Archbishop of Owerri expressedhis disappointment at the rampant violence, kidnapping, and oil theft that threaten the stability and development of the nation and urged the government to learn from other countries and to prioritize the security and employment of its citizens. In this regard, he argued that the government needs to overhaul its financial system, prosecute and jail corrupt officials, and restore public trust.
- Aside the pains caused by government, the archbishop did not mince words about the pain also caused by the document fiducia supplicans (the Vatican’s declaration on the pastoral meaning of blessings) which he described as ambiguous, divisive, and scandalous. He reaffirmedthe commitment of the Conference to uphold the Church’s teaching based on Scripture and Tradition, and to resist the influence of secularist ideologies.
