Papal Nuncio to Nigeria pours encomiums on CBCN, salutes Archbishop Ugorji on outstanding leadership

By Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh

The Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, has lauded the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) for its steadfast commitment to the Church and the nation, while also commending Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the CBCN, for his outstanding leadership.

Delivering his address at the opening ceremony of the first CBCN plenary assembly of 2026, on 22 February, Archbishop Crotty described his participation as a privilege, noting that this was already his third plenary since arriving in Nigeria in October 2024. He expressed gratitude for the warm reception he has received across dioceses, which has allowed him to better understand the joys and challenges of the Church in Nigeria.

The Nuncio highlighted the significance of the plenary coinciding with the Feast of the Chair of St Peter, a celebration of the authority and mission given by Christ to St Peter and his successors. He reminded the bishops of their upcoming Ad Limina Apostolorum visit to Rome, stressing that it would be an opportunity to renew communion with Pope Leo XIV and to share the hopes and challenges of the Church in Nigeria with the Roman Curia.

Turning to the theme of the plenary, “The Common Good and Leadership in Nigeria”, the papal representative lauded the bishops for their press release issued in November 2025, titled: Peace in Nigeria: Moving from Fragility to Stability. He described it as a timely intervention in the face of worsening insecurity, applauding the bishops for urging authorities to fulfill their constitutional duty to protect lives and property.

Quoting from the document, he reiterated the call for unity across divides: “Every Nigerian is called to be an agent of healing, to reject hatred and retaliation, to speak words that foster understanding, and to uphold justice, dialogue, and mutual respect.” He emphasised that peace requires leadership at every level; in homes, communities, churches, workplaces, and political life. All directed toward the common good.
Archbishop Crotty concluded by invoking the Holy Spirit upon the bishops, praying that their deliberations would be guided by wisdom and bear witness to the message of Christ for the good of all Nigerians.