Nigeria is Desperate, Catholic Bishop Says, Prays for Mary’s Help

Oyo, 08 December, 2023 / 2:39 AM

The Bishop of Oyo Diocese in Nigeria has said that the West African country needs “divine help” to be freed from its “desperate mood” occasioned by the the country’s deteriorating political, social, and economic situation.

In his advent reflection ahead of the two-day Diocesan Marian Pilgrimage that commenced Friday, December 8, Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo said Mary’s intervention at the wedding in Cana is needed to salvage Nigeria.

“Politically, economically, and socially we are all in a desperate mood and we need help, divine help,” Bishop Badejo said in the Thursday, December 6 reflection.

The annual pilgrimage was organized under the theme “And the Mother of Jesus Was There” at Oke Maria Pilgrimage Centre in Oyo State.

Bishop Badejo noted that the Marian pilgrimage held at the beginning of the Advent Season, was “tailor-made” for the situation in Nigeria.

He said that the transformation that happened at the wedding in Cana following Mother Mary’s appeal to Jesus is needed in Africa’s most populous nation.

“Our prayer is that Nigeria, our Church, and our families would experience this transformation,” he said and added, “But we must pass through the steps of faith and work which the household went through for the Lord to work his first ever miracle.”

The member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication since his appointment in December 2021 challenged Nigerians to do everything within their power to change the situation in the country following the example of the guests at the wedding in Cana who did what they were told.

 “Are we doing the same?” Bishop Badejo posed, and added, “We must go to Oke Maria pilgrimage with this expectation and attitude, and sustain the hope of advent in our people unto Christmas.”

He said, “It is this expectation for better days that we must give one another urging ourselves not to be weary and to trust in God’s promise.”

The Local Ordinary of Oyo Diocese who also serves as the President Pan African Episcopal Committee for Social Communications (CEPACS) said that the Marian pilgrimage is a call to the people of God “to remain faithful and trusting with confidence in God’s protection.

Reflecting on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s journey with Jesus and the disciples up to the last moment as recorded in the Bible, Bishop Badejo said that the mother of Jesus is ever present among God’s people even today.

The President of CEPACS implored, “May she (Mary) speak up for our needs just like she did at Cana and teach us how best to prepare for the coming of her son our Lord who lives and reigns forever.”