By Emma Eko, CSN Media
The Catholic Bishop of Ikot Ekpene, Most Rev. Raymond Camillus Umoh, has reminded Christians that out of pain and suffering, goodness and healing can emerge, drawing inspiration from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Delivering his homily at the opening Mass of the 2025 Second Plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), held on 14 September, 2025 at the Retreat and Youth Development Centre, Nto Ekpu Ikot Nko, Obot Akara. Bishop Umoh described the death of Jesus as a shameful one that ultimately turned into victory for humanity.
The occasion coincided with the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross and the birthday of the Holy father, His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, who was also remembered in prayers at the Mass.
“As Christians, we can go through pain and suffering, and as a result, we can be healed,” he said. He stressed, however, that suffering and pain should not be celebrated when caused by evil. “We do not celebrate wrongdoing but rather correct wrongdoing. It is not necessary for us to be fighting and killing ourselves,” he added.
The prelate further emphasised the importance of unity, urging the faithful to foster peace and harmony. “Progress can only come when we unite and relate with each other. It is only when we do this that we truly celebrate the exaltation of the cross,” he noted.
Just before the final blessing at the Mass, there was a presentation of the cross by the Episcopal Chairman for Youth, Most Rev. Patrick Eluke to the President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji to mark the opening of preparations for the 2026 World Youth Day, scheduled to hold in Jos, Plateau State.
The ceremony set a tone of faith, unity, and hope for the CBCN plenary and the wider Catholic community in Nigeria.
