Let’s Not “grow weary of doing good” amid Economic Hardships: Nigerian Archbishop

Abuja, 05 December, 2023 / 8:42 PM

The Catholic Archbishop of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese has encouraged the people of God in the West African nation not to tire of doing good amid economic hardship occasioned by rise in prices of commodities.

In his Sunday, December 3 homily at St. Rita Ndakwo Catholic Parish of his Metropolitan See, the First Sunday of Advent, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama urged the government of Africa’s most populous country to “hasten action”.

“We must never grow weary of doing good, especially in this time in our country when the prices of food and other necessities have skyrocketed to the extent that even those who were considered average income earners now beg for one necessity or another,” Archbishop Kaigama said.

He added, “The times are indeed rough and tough. We therefore ask the government of the day to hasten action even though they often tell us to be patient, promising that things will become better. The sooner this happens, the better.”

The Nigerian Archbishop reflected on the challenge of insecurity in the country that has seen people of God killed and others kidnapped and advocated for solidarity as part of doing good.

“We are to recognize Christ in the poor who come to us for assistance, the sick, the dejected, the prisoners, and today, those traumatized by terrorists and kidnappers’ activities,” said the Local Ordinary of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese since November 2019.

Making reference to the the First Reading on the fatherhood and the redemptive power of God, he challenged the people of God to keep “waiting unto God” as they strive to do good.

The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop said he finds it regrettable that some Christians have become tired of “waiting unto God” and have been absorbed by the world.

“There are some Christians who seem to have become tired of waiting; they have become spiritually stagnant, some indifferent and some even dare to question faith with their knowledge of science, anthropology, or sociology,” Archbishop Kaigama said.

The Catholic Archbishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as Bishop of Nigeria’s Jalingo Diocese faulted Christians who have gone on to question amid life’s challenges.

Some others, “in the name of freedom redefine gender, marriage, and accept unnatural things as natural,” he continued his criticism of Christians who have allowed their faith to falter because of challenging experiences. 

He also reflected on the Gospel Reading from St. Mark, which has Jesus Christ emphasizing the need for vigilance because the Son of Man will come without warning, and cautioned against “complacency and irresponsible living”.

“By virtue of our baptism, Christ gave each one of us certain obligations and duties to perform in the Church. We are expected to carry out these tasks faithfully and diligently,” Archbishop Kaigama said in his December 3 homily.