Nairobi, 22 August, 2025 / 11:28 PM
In response to Pope Leo XIV’s call for a day of fasting and prayer for peace on Friday, August 22, the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Bishops in Nigeria and Cameroon have dedicated the day in honour of victims of war and violence.
In their statement addressed to all Catholics in the West African nation that is grappling with insecurity and religious persecution mostly targeting Christians, members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) directed spiritual solidarity with the suffering in other countries of the world.
“We, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, join wholeheartedly in the Pope’s appeal and call on all Catholics in our country, clergy, religious, and lay faithful, to dedicate this day to prayer and fasting,” CBCN members say in the Thursday, August 21 statement that their President, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, signed.
They add, “Let us especially remember the victims of war and violence, those who suffer in our nation and across the world, and commend them to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace.”
Pope Leo XIV made the appeal for “fasting and prayer” for peace on Wednesday, August 20 during his greeting to Italian-speaking pilgrims at the conclusion of the catechesis for the general audience.
In his appeal, the Holy Father recalled that Our Lady, in addition to being queen, is “also invoked as Queen of Peace.”
“While our earth continues to be wounded by wars in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, and in many other regions of the world, I invite all the faithful to devote the day of Aug. 22 to fasting and prayer, imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice and to dry the tears of those who suffer as a result of the ongoing armed conflicts,” Pope Leo XIV said, adding, “Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that people may find the path to peace.”
In realizing the appeal of the Holy Father and in line with the message from CBCN, Episcopal Sees in Nigeria have acted.
In the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala, the Assistant Liturgist, on behalf of Bishop Isaac Bundepuun Dugu, called for the recitation of the Holy Rosary in all parishes, churches and even homes in honour of victims of war and violence.
“With total submission and trust in the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary invites the Clergy, Religious and the Lay Faithful to honour this day of prayer and fasting,” Fr. Solomon T. Mbatimin said in a Thursday, August 21 statement.
Fr. Mbatimin added, “In our prayer, let us remember the victims of war and violence in our Diocese, the land of Sankera and the world at large.”
Meanwhile, in Cameroon’s Catholic Diocese of Mamfe, the Chancellor, on behalf of Bishop Aloysius Abangalo Fondong, has called for Eucharistic celebrations across parishes in remembrance of the victims of war and violence.
“We are entreated to dedicate tomorrow for fasting and prayer with the intention to pray for the victims of war and violence, imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice, and to wipe away the tears of those who suffer in our country and throughout the world because of ongoing armed conflicts in the world,” Fr. Blaise Njikang Ewang said in a Thursday, August 21 statement.
Fr. Ewang added, “Let us partake in the Eucharistic celebration in our respective parishes and institutions as well as be committed in fasting and prayer for the aforesaid intention.”
“May Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that peoples may find the path of peace in our World and true peace may be attained,” the Chancellor of Mamfe Diocese implored.
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