“Their suffering is our suffering”: Vatican Official on Christian Persecution in Nigeria, Calls for Spiritual Solidarity

“We are joining them in prayers, and we are also calling on those who have the power and authority to act, to put an end to these killings and acts of violence in the country,” the Nigerian-born Vatican official said.

Insecurity is rife in Nigeria, where kidnappings, murder, and other forms of persecution against Christians remain rampant in many parts of the West African country, especially in the north.

On June 13, Islamist Fulani militants attacked the town of Yelewata in Nigeria’s Benue State, killing at least 200 persons in what international aid organizations have termed the “worst killing spree” in the Nigerian region.

In the attack that has been widely condemned, with Pope Leo XIV extending his spiritual closeness to victims of the massacre, the attackers reportedly targeted Christians living as internally displaced people (IDPs), setting fire to buildings where families were taking shelter and assaulting with machetes anyone who attempted to flee.

In the June 27 interview with ACI Africa, Archbishop Nwachukwu said, “Violence should never define the identity of the Nigerian people. These are all brothers of the same nation.” 

He added, “For decades, Nigerians have lived and worked side by side without killing one another. We pray and ask for an end to these killings, and we tell the victims: you are not alone.”

While supporting the nine-day national prayer initiative recently launched by members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Nwachukwu emphasized that prayer alone is not enough.

“Prayer is essential, but we must also accompany our prayer with action—dialogue, engagement, assistance to victims, and a consistent call to justice. Real prayer is not just words; it must lead to good works,” he said.

The former Vatican diplomat, who had been serving as Apostolic Nuncio from November 2012 till he was appointed Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization in March 2023, warned against reducing prayer to a religious formality and instead urged believers to allow it to become a channel for healing. 

“We must come to the aid of those who have lost everything,” he said.

Reflecting on the role of ecumenism and interreligious cooperation in times of crisis, Archbishop Nwachukwu underscored the importance of unity and collaboration.

“When the room is cold, people come together to share warmth. That is what happens in a crisis. Crisis should bring us together—Christians of all denominations, Muslims, and all who desire peace. It is a time for consolation, for solidarity, and cooperation,” he said.

Archbishop Nwachukwu added, “Ecumenism should lead us to solidarity in moments of crisis. Crisis should not divide us but unite us, as brothers and sisters sharing the same faith from different perspectives or the same nation from different religions.”

He called on all Nigerians, particularly Christians, to reflect deeply and take personal responsibility in the pursuit of peace and justice. 

“Often, we look to others to solve our problems, but the solution begins with each of us,” the Catholic Church leader said.

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He emphasized the need for personal transformation and conversion in Nigeria, saying, “It is not just for politicians or people in government; it is for every citizen. Change begins with the heart.”

Reflecting on the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, which Pope Francis officially launched on the Eve of Christmas 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, Archbishop Nwachukwu said, “This is the Year of Hope, and hope does not disappoint when it is anchored in Christ. We must all become ambassadors of peace.”

He underscored the universal responsibility of peace-building, saying, “We must preach personal repentance, conversion of heart, the culture of the heart. If each person refuses to carry out evil, even in a group, violence will stop.”

“From the pulpit to the market stall, from government office to rural farmland, from school hall to the street corner, we must all become ambassadors of peace and justice,” Archbishop Nwachukwu told ACI Africa on June 27.