WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE CALABAR ECCLESIASTICAL PROVINCIAL LAITY COUNCIL TO THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF NIGERIA (CBCN)

WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE CALABAR ECCLESIASTICAL PROVINCIAL LAITY COUNCIL TO THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF NIGERIA (CBCN) DURING THEIR 2ND 2025 PLENARY SESSION TAKING PLACE IN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF IKOT EKPENE FROM 11TH – 19TH SEPTEMBER, 2025

PROTOCOL:

Your Excellency,

Your Eminence,

Your Graces,

Your Lordships,

Monsignori

Very Rev. Frs. and Frs.

Religious Men and Women,

Our Beloved Laity.

On behalf of the Calabar Ecclesiastical Provincial Laity Council of Nigeria, it is our honour to extend a warm welcome to His Excellency, the Papal Nuncio in Nigeria, Most Rev. Michael Crotty; The President of the CBCN, His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius I. Ugorji, The Vice President, Most Rev. Matthew Man’oso Ndagoso, Secretary of CBCN, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun O. S. A.; The Metropolitan of Calabar, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Ekuwem, The Episcopal Chairman for the Laity, Most Rev. Dr. John E. Ayah, Our Arch Bishops and Bishops of Nigeria, the Administrative Heads of the various Administrative Departments of the Conference, to this 2nd Plenary of the CBCN held in our Province, hosted by the Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene. We are delighted to host this gathering of our Most Esteemed Spiritual Leaders, who guide our faith community with wisdom and devotion in our humble abode.

We express our deepest gratitude for your tireless efforts in spreading the Gospel and promoting the value of love, compassion and service. Your leadership has been instrumental in shaping the Catholic Church, building up the Catholic faith in Nigeria especially in this very trying times and also seeking to influence the affairs of State where necessary. We are very grateful for your dedication and we strongly encourage your enthusiasm in fighting for a better Nigeria, where there is equality, probity, accountability and better governance.

As representative of the Laity, we pledge our support and collaboration in the church’s mission to evangelize, educate and empower our communities. We wish you a meaningful discussion, reflection and prayer during your Conference. We pray the Holy Spirit to guide and enrich your deliberations and your collective wisdom, and may your resolutions inspire us all to live out our faith with renewed passion and commitment.

Permit us to use this opportunity to commiserate with the CBCN on the death of Most Rev. Francis Okobo- The 1st Bishop of Nsukka Diocese. We pray God to grant his soul eternal rest, Amen.

We thank the Catholic Bishop of Ikot Ekpene, Most Rev. Dr. Camillus Umoh for the wonderful works God is using him to do in Ikot Ekpene Diocese.

Below are some challenges concerning the Catholic Church especially in our Province and related issues concerning our Nigerian situation:

Details are attached for your perusal and consideration.

We pray God to protect you throughout your stay in our Province, Amen.

Thank you, and may God bless your gathering.

Sincerely,

For and on behalf of Calabar Ecclesiastical Provincial Laity Council.

Obong Killian Thompson, Ph.DJames Etim

Calabar Provincial PresidentCalabar Provincial Secretary

Rev. Fr. Cletus Udoh, SPS

Calabar Provincial Chaplain

SOME CHALLENGES CONCERNING OUR CATHOLIC CHURCH AND RELATED ISSUES CONCERNING OUR NIGERIAN SITUATION

1)LITURGICAL ABUSES:

Private Ministries led by wayward Catholics have become a significant concern with some priests engaging in practices not aligned with Catholic teachings, such as selling of oil and promoting the “Prosperity Gospel”.

2)POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT:

Widespread poverty and unemployment are major challenges, with many layfaithful (especially our youths) vulnerable to false promises of prosperity from Pentecostal and other Ministries.

3)INFLUENCE OF PENTECOSTALISM:

The Catholic Church is facing challenges from Pentecostal influences, with some Priests and Layfaithful embracing practices like faith healing and deliverance ministries.

4)YOUTH DISILLUSIONMENT:

Many young people especially youths are drifting away from the church, attracted to shrines and rituals or simply disinterested in traditional church practices.

5)HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION:

The Church operates numerous healthcare facilities and educational institutions, but these are often underfunded and overstretched.

6)GOVERNANCE AND CORRUPTION:

The Church is concerned about governance and corruption in our Country Nigeria which exacerbate poverty, insecurity and other social vices/issues.

7)LACK OF STRONG SYNERGY BETWEEN LAITY COUNCIL AND ORGANIZATIONS/SOCIETIES/ ASSOCIATIONS

There is lack of strong synergy between the Laity Council as an umbrella body for all Lay Organizations, Social and Pious Groups. The Catholic Men Organization of Nigeria (CMON), The Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria (CWON), The Catholic Youths Organization of Nigeria (CYON), the Knights etc do not align their programmes/activities with their Diocesan Laity Councils, same at the Provincial Level.

8)INSECURITY AND PROSECUTION:

Nigeria today could be termed as the world leading source of Christian martyrs. Extremist group like Boko Haram, Islamic State for West Africa (ISWA), Fulani herdsmen, attack Christians and destroy churches. Even the sacred institution of Priesthood is not spared. We are always very sad to hear of Priest kidnappings and killings these days, Bandits controlling territories in Nigeria and collecting taxes, cows guided by Fulani herdsmen destroying farm crops without any help from the police when the matter is reported to them. The inability of government to confront these monsters has made life terrible for the people. This has become a serious concern to men of goodswill. Our country is drifting to abyss.

These concerns/challenges required a comprehensive and collaborative response from the CBCN and other stakeholders to address the spiritual, social and economic needs of the people.

Thank you.

Obong Killian Thompson, Ph.D James Edet

Calabar Provincial PresidentCalabar Provincial Secretary

Rev. Fr. Cletus Udoh, SPS

Provincial Chaplain