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Bishops in Nigerian Ecclesiastical Province Call for “sound biblical foundation” as Paganism Spreads among the Youth

Catholic Bishops from Nigeria’s Lagos Ecclesiastical Province. Credit: Lagos Archdiocese

Catholic Bishops from Nigeria’s Lagos Ecclesiastical Province have expressed concern about the increasing prevalence of neo-pagan practices among young people in the country, warning about its impact on the Christian faith and values.

In a statement issued on Monday, January 27, the Local Ordinaries of Lagos Archdiocese, Abeokuta, and Ijebu-Ode Dioceses highlight a troubling trend among youth, many of whom are reportedly drawn to money-making rituals and internet fraud schemes rooted in pagan beliefs. 

“We observe with concern the rise of neo-paganism among some of the young population in our country and the consequent threat to the purity of the Christian faith and the lapse into practices that undermine the Christian faith and values,” the Catholic Bishops say.

They add, “Many young people are being lured into money-making rituals and internet fraud activities backed up by neo-pagan beliefs that give or offer false promises of wealth and protection.”

The Catholic Bishops underscore the urgent need for religious leaders and parents especially in Lagos to take action to combat the trend. 

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“It is imperative that religious leaders and parents take urgent action to address this trend by providing our young people with a sound biblical and moral foundation that is strengthened by appropriate mentorship opportunities in order to equip them to navigate the complexities of our modern world,” they say in the statement signed by Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos Archdiocese and Bishop Francis Adesina of Ijebu-Ode Diocese.

Recognizing the importance of meaningful engagement, the Catholic Church leaders also encourage a more intentional approach to listening to the concerns of young people. “We must also engage with them in a more intentional way and listen to their concerns so that we can provide them with relevant and meaningful support,” they say.

In their January 27 statement, the Catholic Bishops also express concern about the “deplorable conditions” and inadequate care afforded to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), migrants, and refugees in Nigeria.

“The humanitarian crises precipitated by the activities of different terrorist groups, the communal conflicts, and natural disasters in the country is alarming,” they say, quoting a report by the UNHCR which says that over 2.5 million people in the West African country have been forced to flee their homes, lost their loved ones, their properties, and means of livelihood, and are lacking the basic necessities of life.

The Catholic Bishops further appreciate the efforts at alleviating the suffering of the IDPs by units of the Church and Society Department of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) such as Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria, the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) as well as other non-governmental organizations such as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

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They urge governments at all levels to “do much better than at present”, and to prioritize the well-being of vulnerable individuals in the country by providing them with dequate assistance, ensuring their care, protection, and support.

Reflecting on the state of the nation, the Catholic Bishops lament, “Nigeria is undoubtedly at a critical moment in its journey towards nationhood. So we have the perennial challenges of insecurity, corruption, poverty, violence, and activities of violent non-state actors that continue to threaten its stability and progress.”

“The economy struggles with rising inflation, unemployment, and a widening gap between the rich and the poor have among other things led to the tragic loss of life of over 100 people in December last year as they struggled to access palliatives,” the Catholic Church leaders say.

They add, “This tragedy underscores the need to bring about a change from the palliative mentality to an “empowerment culture.”

The Bishops further say, “This approach will restore citizens’ dignity and pride and help to achieve a genuine reduction of the rate of poverty.”

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They say, “Government officials, the civil society organization, the organized private sector, and indeed all citizens must collaborate to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance. By working together, we can build a country that is more just, equitable, and prosperous for all.”

The Catholic Bishops call on citizens to “unite to build a better Nigeria; put aside our differences and work together to create a brighter future.”

“We urge those who rule our land and all those in positions of authority to lead with integrity, honesty, and the fear of God, working for justice equality, and prosperity for all. If all these are done, then we can surely build a Nigeria where peace, justice, and prosperity reign,” the Catholic Church leaders say in their January 27 statement.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.