Nigerian Archbishop Urges “active participation of faithful in civil politics” at Congress

Benin City, 09 November, 2022 / 9:00 PM

The Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Benin City in Nigeria is advocating for the “active participation of our faithful in civil politics”.

In his welcoming address during Eucharistic celebration marking the opening of the National Pastoral Congress in Nigeria on Wednesday, November 9, Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze expressed optimism that the Congress will also inspire the government to listen to the cries of the people.

“I hope and pray that one of the fruits of this Congress will be the active participation of our faithful in civil politics,” Archbishop Akubeze said during the event that was held at St. Paul Catholic Parish of his Metropolitan See.

He added, “We pray at this Eucharistic celebration for a Nigerian Government at all levels, that will listen to the cries of her citizens; a government that will listen to the pains and plights of the people, and come to the help of the many victims of terrorism, flood, and poverty.”

The Nigerian Archbishop reflected on the country’s general elections set for 25 February 2023 and urged Nigerians to listen critically to the promises political candidates are making. 

“Let us match their words with their past actions and make informed decisions with our voter’s card that will lead to a leader who considers every Nigerian as his brother and sister; a leader who has the capacity and will power to take us out of poverty and lead us to prosperity,” he said at the event which commenced Tuesday, November 8.

Catholic Church leaders in Nigeria including John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke and the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji are ta  taking part in the Pastoral Congresses that has been organized under the same theme as the Synod on Synodality, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission”.

In his address, Archbishop Akubeze said that the Church in Nigeria has responded to the Holy Father’s call and “has been engaged in listening to each other without censoring the opinion of anyone because no one has the monopoly of the Holy Spirit.”

The 66-year-old Archbishop who has been at the helm of the Benin City Archdiocese since April 2011 also spoke about the need to have “a Eucharistic Church” that embraces communion, participation, and mission.

“It is only a Eucharistic Church that knows what communion means, it is only a Eucharistic Church that knows what participation means, it is only a Eucharistic Church that can fully embrace the mission of Christ,” said the Archbishop who has been serving as the apostolic Administrator of Warri Diocese since April this year.

He said that a Eucharistic Church will not only be an agent of social transformation, but will also inspire economic transformation.

He said, “Let us immerse ourselves in this Eucharistic celebration so that we can be effective participants in a Pastoral Congress that is set to help us journey together in our common search for new ways of evangelization.”

“We pray that our mother Mary will be with us to teach us how to do whatever Christ tells us to do through this Congress in Benin,” Archbishop Akubeze said during his November 9 address.