By CSN Media
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has officially declared open the 2025 work year for staff of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) and CBCN agencies. The declaration was made by the Auxiliary Bishop of Minna Diocese, Most Rev. Sylvester Gopep, on behalf of the CBCN President, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji.
Bishop Gopep made the declaration during the Thanksgiving Mass, which marked the end of the just-concluded beginning-of-the-year retreat for staff of CSN and CBCN agencies, held at the St. Gabriel Chaplaincy of CSN.
During the Mass, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, Rev. Fr. Peter Babangida Audu, and Rev. Fr. Lawrence Emehel took their oath of office as the new Secretary General, Director of Church and Society/Executive Secretary of the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN), and Director of Mission and Dialogue, respectively. The oath of office was administered by Bishop Gopep on behalf of the CBCN.
In his homily, Bishop Gopep, who also served as the retreat moderator, emphasized the importance of love in fostering a culture of peace and harmony. “Remove love from the heart of men, and all of us will become enemies of each other,” he cautioned. “Remove love from the hearts of men, and this gathering will become a battleground.”
The homilist noted that love is the essence of God’s nature, citing the scripture that “God is love.” He lamented that the absence of God in the life of some people is the root cause of conflicts and crises in the world today
Bishop Gopep appreciated the staff for their patience and hard work, urging them to invite Jesus into their lives, work, and families. “Jesus is aware of your crisis, difficulties, and troubles, but he won’t be involved if we don’t invite him into it,” he said.
The annual retreat is an effort by the CBCN to foster a spirit of unity, cooperation, and spiritual growth among its staff and stakeholders. This year’s theme, “Fostering an Organizational Culture of Love and Service: Insights from ‘Dilexit Nos,'” provided a framework for reflection and growth, equipping staff to embody the values of love, compassion, and service in their work.
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