Nigerians Having “sleepless nights over persistent insecurity”, Bishops in Abuja Province Lament, Call for Action

To illustrate the seriousness of insecurity in Abuja Ecclesiastical Province, they highlight the June 14 armed terrorist attack on the Yelewata Community in Guma LGA of Benue State that resulted in the killing of over 200 inhabitants and rendered at least 3,000 people displaced.

They express their spiritual solidarity with Katsina-Ala Catholic Diocese over the burning to ashes of the Priests’ residence at St. Paul Ayetwar Parish reportedly by armed Fulani militia.

The Catholic Bishops also refer to the desecration of the church building, the Secretariat and destruction of other facilities and vehicles on August 11, events that have resulted in the suspension of Parish activities.

“We are saddened with the worsening situation of kidnappings and closure of our churches, undiminished rise of Internally Displaced Persons and the increasing poverty in our province,” the Catholic Bishops say.

In the statement that their chairman, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Abuja Archdiocese and the Secretary, Bishop David Ajang of Lafia Diocese cosigned, the Bishops also reflect on the challenges affecting the province including proliferation of religious sects and Priests involvement in politics.

On the proliferation of religious sects, they say, “We have observed with keen concern the active presence of some pious unions in the province, and indeed some strange religious sects.”

“While it is not in our powers to strangulate the promptings of the Holy Spirit, it is our obligation to guide and redirect such promptings of the Holy Spirit. We warn that such people should be aware of such religious trends prowling in the name of Christ,” the Bishops say.

With the proliferation of many religious sects in the West African nation, the Bishops warn that if such sects are not in union with the Roman Catholic Church, then anyone who identifies with them does so at their own risk.

“In view of the activities of the obvious pious unions within our dioceses, we continue to encourage them to use their habits when they have their exclusive congregational meetings and programs,” they say.

On a section of the Clergy engaging in partisan politics, the Bishops say, “Once again, we would like to express the position of the Church in the involvement of the Priest in politics. Canon 285 § 3 and canon 287 § 2 of the 1983 code discourages Catholic clergy from holding political office.”

The Catholic Church leaders, however express their unwavering commitment in promoting the course of vocation to the Priesthood, saying, “Our Priests are product of sound training they received from our formation houses.”

“We would continue to do our best to support the institutes of formation to do even more. We also cannot get tired of commending the sacrifice made by formators in the formation of quality Priests,” they say.

The Catholic Bishops go on to urge Seminarians to use their time in formation to adequately prepare themselves for “the herculean task of mission ahead of them in our fast-changing world.”

“We need priests who are holy, sound and with good character,” the Catholic Bishops of Abuja Ecclesiastical province further call on the Laity to sustain their support to the Bishops in order to maintain the purpose to which the seminary is established.

“We however bemoan the increasing economic hardships in the country and the unabated devaluation of our currency which poses great challenge to general maintenance of the institution,” they say.

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In the statement the Catholic Church leader, however, lauded the government of the West African nation for the milestones in the infrastructural development, cautioning Nigerians against vandalizing road networks.

“We commend the government at all levels in view of the ongoing construction of Abuja-Enugu expressway and other related interstate underpasses and road network within our states. This would surely enhance safety of road users and ease economic activities,” the Catholic Bishops say.

They urge the Nigerian government at all levels to sustain the developmental strives without compromising on quality of materials that would ensure the durability.

“We call on all community heads, security operatives and people of good will in whose domain these road networks are routed to ensure vigilance and shun vandalism,” they say.