“Knights are highly respected”: Catholic Bishop in Nigeria Says, Urges Them to Live “exemplary” Lives, Witnessing Christ

“You may not think people are watching, but they do,” Bishop Ayah said, adding, “This challenge does not only go to the Laity or the Knights but also to the Bishop and the Clergy. We must live in such a way that we truly witness to the presence of Christ in the world.”

He went on to caution Catholic Knights in Nigeria against despair amid experiences of socio-economic hardships in the country. 

“When times are not good, we should not be discouraged,” the Local Ordinary of Uyo said at the three-day event that the CSN Pastoral Agents Department organized for all Catholic Knights in Nigeria on the theme, “The Responsibilities of the Catholic Knights in Public Office”.

He emphasized the need to remain hopeful despite life’s challenges, saying, “Hope leads us to better times. Perhaps God allows us to go through difficulties so that we may learn something about life. When the good times come, we appreciate them more.”

Bishop Ayah weighed in on the challenge of transmitting the Catholic faith to younger generations, which participants in the summit highlighted as a key concern. 

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While he acknowledged the challenge, the 65-year-old Catholic Church leader, who started his Episcopal Ministry as Bishop of Nigeria’s Ogoja Diocese in January 2007 urged parents to take up their responsibility of spearheading family catechesis.

“It is not just about what the Church can do but also about what parents can do. The Church can provide catechism classes, but faith formation must continue at home,” he said. 

The Local Ordinary of Uyo Diocese following his transfer from Ogoja in July 2014 lamented that many family members have abandoned the good tradition of common prayers due to modern distractions. 

“Some people wake up and the first thing they do is scroll through their phones, not thinking about prayer,” he noted, and appealed, “Parents must ensure that family prayer remains a daily practice. Gather in the sitting room, pray the rosary, and say bidding prayers from the heart.”

Bishop Ayah emphasized the importance of moral upbringing. He said, “Morals are very important. A child should grow up knowing Christian virtues and family values. Parents must make time for dialogue, teaching their children about societal norms and expectations.”

He also urged parents to instil the virtue of respect in their children. “Respect for elders, for other human beings, and for constituted authority is paramount. Parents should not be too busy to teach their children. Both parents may be working, but they must create time for their children,” Bishop Ayah said, noting that “the problem we have today is absentee parenting.”

The Chairman of the CBCN Laity Commission reiterated, “Parents should interact with their children, answer their questions, and help them prepare for adulthood.”

He reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to faith formation beyond Sunday Mass, saying, “Outside the homily, we have dedicated time for catechesis. The faithful must be taught the faith and allowed to ask questions, which Priests can address.”

In faith formation, Bishop Ayah said, “the home is very important, but the Church will continue to do its part. Together, we must ensure that the faith is effectively passed on to the next generation.”

Abah Anthony John contributed to this story.

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