World Mission Sunday 2025: Catholic Official Decries Growing Threats to Missionaries in Nigeria

Abuja, 19 October, 2025 / 10:59 PM

Marking World Mission Sunday 2025 on October 19, the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Nigeria, Fr. Solomon Patrick Zaku, has warned that missionaries across the country are facing growing challenges, including insecurity, limited resources, and frequent attacks that make evangelization increasingly difficult.

In an interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Zaku described missionary service in Nigeria as “a journey of faith” often undertaken in harsh and sometimes dangerous circumstances, yet sustained by the resilience and deep faith of those committed to spreading the Gospel.

“In Nigeria, it is not easy to be a missionary. There are times you want to go to a particular place, but you are afraid. You don’t know what will happen on the road,” Fr. Zaku said during the Sunday, October 19 interview following the annual celebration under the theme “under the theme “Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples.”

He added, “We have had cases of Priests, Religious, and lay people attacked and killed while worshipping God.”

The Nigerian Catholic Priest noted that many missionaries now serve in fear, often unable to travel freely.

“Some who have volunteered to go on mission must hide their identity because when people know they are missionaries, they can be arrested or killed,” he lamented.

He continued, “In some parts of Northern Nigeria, Christians are being denied freedom of worship, even with your money you will not be given land to build a church, and you are not allowed to preach the gospel freely. When someone is denied freedom to build a church or preach the gospel, that is persecution.”

“Every human being is supposed to have the right to freedom of religion and movement, but when missionaries are restricted from expressing their faith, killed for their faith, that becomes persecution, which is prevalent in Nigeria today,” the PMS National Director said.

Beyond insecurity, Fr. Zaku said financial limitations are another major obstacle. 

“Many are willing to go on a mission but lack the resources. A Bishop may want to send 30 or 40 Seminarians for training but may not have enough resources to support them,” he said. 

The member of the Clergy of Maiduguri Diocese went on to explain that Religious Congregations also struggle to sustain their formation houses.

“Some convents cannot take in more novices because they lack accommodation or funds to feed them. The Church in Nigeria survives through charity. There is no subvention from the government to support those on mission,” he said. 

The PMS national director appealed for local support for missionaries, “When the early missionaries came to Africa, their people supported them. They were able to build hospitals, schools, and clinics. Today, many Nigerian missionaries working in remote areas or abroad receive little or no support from home.”

He emphasized that the mission must continue despite these challenges, saying, “Jesus assured us, ‘I will be with you till the end of time.’ That promise keeps the missionaries going.”

Fr. Zaku noted that Mission Sunday offers Catholics a reminder of their call to evangelize. 

“Mission Sunday reminds us that we are all missionaries; the Church is missionary by nature. If the Church does not evangelize, it cannot fulfill its purpose,” he said.

Fr. Zaku added, “Every Catholic has a role in the missionary mandate. If you cannot go, you can give. We ask people to pray for the success of the mission and to support those who have gone out.”

He noted that mission work requires a shared sense of responsibility, saying, “People should not be forced to give; it should come from understanding that mission is a personal duty. When everyone contributes faithfully, the Church’s mission will thrive.”

The PMS Director also spoke about efforts to promote Priestly and Religious vocations through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, one of the four branches of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

“This society creates awareness on the need for Priests and religious. It encourages people to pray for more vocations and raises funds for their training,” he said. 

Fr. Zaku noted that Nigeria currently has more than 43 minor seminaries, 20 major seminaries, and about 25 spiritual seminaries, all of which benefit from PMS support. 

“Those who volunteer to serve God are supported spiritually and materially during formation,” he said.

Fr. Zaku expressed confidence that the Church in Nigeria is making progress in fostering missionary zeal.

“We have many Nigerian Priests and Religious working not only here but across the world. Over 1,000 Nigerians are serving in different countries,” he said. 

(Story continues below)

He also commended lay movements for their contribution to evangelization, saying, “We have lay groups that go for house visits, prison outreach, and village missions. They help spread the gospel in their own way.”