Nigerian Catholic Bishop Encourages Christians to Persevere in Evangelization amid Persecution

He cited Pope Francis, who encourages the faithful to venture beyond familiar boundaries and invite others to God’s banquet. 

“This call to action underscores our responsibility to share the gospel, whether through direct involvement or by supporting missions financially,” he said.

The Nigerian member of the Missionary Society of Saint Paul (MSPN) in Nigeria urged Christians to seize every opportunity for evangelization, whether through prayers or financial support. 

He noted that impoverished areas require not only financial aid but also personnel who can utilize digital tools for outreach. 

“Even if you are not physically there, you can still use the internet or YouTube to tell the story of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Egbebo said.

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The 68-year-old Catholic Bishop encouraged Christians to extend their support to persecuted Christians in conflict zones, noting that even small contributions can be multiplied by God to lead many to salvation. 

“These places have been impoverished, and we must support them through prayer and financial aid,” he said.

He explained, “Mission Sunday empowers the Church to go out and be on a mission. It reminds people of their mission work and encourages them to get involved.”

The Catholic Church leader said the funds raised during this special day are pooled by the Vatican and redistributed to support missionary projects worldwide. 

“Without this wise intervention by the Church, many places would remain stagnant. Schools, hospitals, and churches have been built thanks to this initiative,” he said

Meanwhile, Bishop Egbebo also addressed the growing debate surrounding private ministries among Catholic Priests in Nigeria. 

He observed that many Catholic Priests are establishing private ministries without proper authorization. 

“The Church is very careful about theological qualifications. You have to go to school to ensure you are teaching sound doctrine, not just personal ideas,” the Catholic Bishop said, cautioning against the rise of false doctrines, particularly those promoting materialism. 

“These days, some people flaunt their wealth and proclaim success. But we preach about heaven. We’re talking about the salvation of souls, not earthly riches,” he said. 

Bishop Egbebo said, “There is a lot of false doctrine out there, but the Church teaches authentic faith. As St. Paul tells us in Romans, there can be no mission unless you are sent. We preach about heaven and the salvation of souls, not wealth and prosperity.”

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Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print,  Electronic and Multi-Media Production.