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Apostolic Nuncio in Nigeria Lauds Missionaries for Laying Strong Foundation of Faith in Umuahia Diocese

Credit: Catholic Diocese of Umuahia
Nicholas Waigwa

By Nicholas Waigwa

Umuahia, 11 December, 2025 / 6:07 pm (ACI Africa).

The Apostolic Nuncio in Nigeria has lauded the evangelization efforts of the missionaries who laid the strong foundation upon which the faith of the people of God in the country’s Catholic Diocese of Umuahia continues to thrive.

In his Wednesday, December 4 homily during the thanksgiving Mass for the 25th anniversary of the dedication of Mater Dei Cathedral of the Nigerian Metropolitan See, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, said, “It was not by accident that a cathedral now stands here.”

He described the successful construction of the Cathedral and its dedication as “the fulfillment of holy providence through the work of evangelization of the missionaries” who went to the West African nation “to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.” 

“Through their perseverance and the enthusiastic reception of the Gospel by your forefathers, the foundations of the faith, the living stones of the faith were laid down, and within a short time, communities of faith were established and brought forth the church,” said the Vatican diplomat.

He added, “When I look about here today in this packed Cathedral, I see the continuing fruits of evangelization. The first seeds of evangelization were sown in these parts by the missionaries.”

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The representative of the Holy Father in Nigeria also acknowledged the contribution of those who took up the evangelization mission from the missionaries and natured it, including the local Bishops, Priests, the Religious, Catechists, and Lay faithful, particularly in the milieu of the family, which is the most important place where the faith is planted.”

“The strongest indication of the fruitfulness of the faith is vocations to Priesthood and religious life,” Archbishop Crotty said at the December 10 event, during which 15 Seminarians, seven for the Umuahia Diocese and eight members of the Congregation of the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy (SMMM) were raised to the Order of Diaconate.

He described the Ordination of the 15 as “a sure sign that the faith is strong and bearing fruit” and “a testament to the vocations to Priesthood and religious life that is strong in the Diocese.”

“Today we have a new generation of living stones who will be the builders of the church, the young men who have stepped forward to be ordained to the Diaconate,” he said, and added, “It is an opportunity to thank their parents and their families for nurturing the faith.”

He invited the Deacons-elect to allow their Ordination to be “the start of a new adventure in Christ to build up the church, to make it ever more stronger” through the example of their lives and witness of the gospel. 

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Apostolic Nuncio in Nigeria Lauds Missionaries for Laying Strong Foundation of Faith in Umuahia Diocese

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“May you always be living stones of God's holy church,” the Apostolic Nuncio told the 15 Deacons-elect, cautioning them against perceiving their Ordination as “the end point of all those years of perseverance and faithfulness” but rather to embrace it as “a starting point of a new life in Christ.”

He added, “You become joined to Christ in a new and unique way. From today, your very being will be ontologically transformed for the service of Christ and his church.”

“Dear brothers, although you are committing yourselves today through your own freedom of will, know that you are not alone in your choice. You are supported not only by the prayers of your family and friends gathered here today, but by the whole church down the ages,” Archbishop Crotty said in his December 10 homily. 

Nicholas Waigwa

Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.

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