God Didn’t “create us just to suffer”: Catholic Archbishop on Nigeria’s Bad Economy, Calls for “divine intervention”

He called upon the people of God under his pastoral care to embrace the Jubilee Year of Hope as a period of grace, reconciliation, and renewal. 

The Holy Father announced the start of a Year of Prayer on 21 January 2024 in preparation for the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, the second in his Pontificate after the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015.

He said that the 2025 Jubilee Year will be “a year dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in one’s personal life, in the life of the Church, and in the world.”

Months later, on the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ on 9 May 2024, the Holy Father solemnly proclaimed the upcoming Jubilee Year 2025 at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica, during which he delivered the Bull of Indiction of the planned Jubilee, “Spes non confundit” (Hope does not disappoint).

The Jubilee Year provides the people of God across the globe an opportunity to participate in various planned jubilee events at the Vatican and in their respective Episcopal Sees and Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL).

More in Africa

At 30th Anniversary, Catholic University of Mozambique Lauded as Institution “where hearts and minds bloom”

Read the article

In the interview with ACI Africa on February 13, Archbishop Audu emphasized the significance of the Jubilee as a time to restore faith and trust in God despite prevailing economic and social hardships.

“The Jubilee Year is a year of grace, of forgiveness, of God's mercy, and of reconciliation with the people of God,” Archbishop Audu said. 

He added, “The Holy Father has designated this as a Jubilee Year of Hope, reminding us that even amid difficulties, we must not lose hope. God is still in charge.”

The Nigerian Catholic Church leader, who started his Episcopal Ministry in March 2001 as Bishop of Nigeria’s Lafia Catholic Diocese reiterated that hope is a fundamental virtue for Catholics, and urged those who have strayed from their faith to repent, seek God’s mercy, and remain steadfast. 

“This is a period where we must hold onto the belief that God’s promises never fail. If God has promised salvation, it will manifest in all aspects of life, not just spiritually, but even physically,” he said.

Archbishop Audu went on to caution Christians against losing hope in the possibility of positive change, saying, “Whether economic hardships, corruption, or persecution—none of these should make us abandon our faith. Our hope must never die. No matter the difficulties we face, God is in control. And in His time, He will make all things right.” 

Reflecting on the paradox of Nigeria being a deeply religious country yet plagued by corruption, the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop called on Christians to uphold ethical standards.

“Being religious is not enough; we must also live by God’s commandments. Faith must be demonstrated through righteous living,” he said.

Addressing Catholic politicians, the Local Ordinary of Jos since his installation in March 2020 expressed disappointment in their performance, noting that some have failed to serve as beacons of integrity.

“Perhaps they believe that since they are accountable to no human being, they have escaped accountability to God. But that is a dangerous mindset,” he warned.

(Story continues below)

The Catholic Archbishop challenged politians to remember that public office is a divine calling that must be honoured with integrity.

Archbishop Audu also spoke on the persecution of Christians in Northern Nigeria, acknowledging with concern the life-threatening state that Boko Haram, banditry, and kidnappings pose.

He however noted that persecution is not new to the Church. “Our duty as Christians is to stand firm in faith,” the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop told ACI Africa on February 13.

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print,  Electronic and Multi-Media Production.