“You can bomb churches but you cannot destroy the gospel”: Catholic Official on Christian Persecution in Nigeria

Jos, 22 January, 2025 / 9:20 PM

The Superior General of the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSP) has addressed the challenges facing the Nigerian Catholic Church, including the persecution of Christians, and emphasized the resilience of the gospel message.

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of the St. Paul lecture on “Vatican II Council 60 Years After and the Church in Nigeria”, Fr. Callistus Isara highlighted the growth of the Church while cautioning that “there is a need for this faith to be deepened more, so that the spirituality matches the life of the people.”

Describing persecution as painful in a country where Christians are targeted by Islamist groups, Fr. Isara noted that the challenges the Church faces in the country are “a seed that has been sown. God will water it, and the Church will expand even more in these persecution areas.” 

“You can bomb churches and priests, but you cannot destroy the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Fr. Isara told ACI Africa on Monday, January 19.

He added, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Christian faith. Whenever people persecute the Church thinking they are going to eliminate it is when the Church grows even more.” 

Fr. Isara called for a renewed focus on catechesis and spiritual growth within the Nigerian Catholic Church, emphasizing the need to deepen the faith especially amid persecution. “The Church, hopefully, by God's grace, will continue to grow,” he said.

He underscored the importance of catechesis, lamenting its decline in recent years, saying, “When I was growing up, every Sunday evening we went back to the church for catechesis. There was a teaching of doctrine. We need to restore the Church to that level.” 

Speaking on the importance of vocations, the 59-year-old Nigerian Catholic Priest urged young people considering the priesthood or religious life to embrace the call. 

“The Lord says the harvest is rich, but the laborers are few. We can never have enough Priests in this life. If there are young people today who want to be priests, welcome on board,” he said. 

Fr. Isara assured those contemplating seminary life of the joy in serving God, while acknowledging the sacrifices involved.

He further expressed optimism about the future of the Nigerian Church, while reiterating the importance of deepening faith and embracing the sacrifices required for spiritual growth. “Nobody can chain the Church. Nobody can kill the gospel. St. Paul and Silas were chained in prison yet they were rescued by God because the word of God could not be chained,” the Priest said.