By CSN Media
A delegation from the German Catholic Bishops Conference, led by the Catholic Bishop of Augsburg and Chairman of the International Church Affairs and Interreligious Dialogue Commission, Most Rev. Bertram Meier, arrived in Nigeria on Friday, January 10, 2025. The visit aims to strengthen collaboration and promote interreligious dialogue within the Church.
During their stay, the delegation participated in a memorial Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, on Sunday, January 12, honoring the victims of the December 21, 2024, stampede during a Christmas food sharing exercise. Bishop Meier addressed the congregation, expressing his admiration for the vibrant Catholic community in Nigeria.
“Your Church is a rich one,” Bishop Meier remarked. “The church is full of people, unlike in Germany where the church is almost always empty. We are here on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Germany to carry out a little experiment in your local church. I am very impressed about the richness of your church. The faith is also predominant among young people, not only the old generation.”
On Monday, January 13, the delegation joined the staff of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) and agencies of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) for their daily morning prayer. Bishop Meier and his team addressed the church staff, commending the extensive work of the Church in Nigeria.
In a warm reception by the CSN management, the Director of Pastoral Agents, Rev. Fr. Augustine Okochi, presented kolanuts to the German delegation on behalf of the CBCN.
The Secretary-General of the CSN, Rev. Fr. Michael Ayanleke Banjo, on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria thanked the delegation for choosing to pay a physical visit to the Church in Nigeria, rather than just sending funds. He went on to introduced the visitors to the management team and the organizational structure of the Secretariat, highlighting the synergy between departments in addressing spiritual and societal needs.
The German delegation, comprising the Head of International Church Affairs, Mr. Ulrich Pรถner; Press Officer of the Bishop, Mr. Ulrich Bobinger; and Head of the Africa Desk for the German Bishops Conference, Dr. Tobit Loevenich, expressed their excitement about visiting Nigeria. Their tour continued with visits to the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna and Jos, among others.
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