Amid Rising Conflicts, the World Needs Christ the King: Nigerian Catholic Archbishop

He added, “By this celebration, we are reminded that Christ must reign over our lives. See how today people flaunt political power, and how people tremble and bow before those with political authority because they need political or economic favors from them.”

The Local Ordinary of Abuja since November 2019 said that the status given to those in political power and how those with authority are regarded in the society pushes many people to “a blind and aggressive search to be in positions of political power.”

Reflecting on the second reading from the book of revelation, the Archbishop emphasized that Christians share in Christ’s kingship.

“Christ has made us a kingdom and Priests to His God and Father,” Archbishop Kaigama said in his November 24 homily, adding that this privilege, rooted in baptism, calls for rejection of selfishness.

The Nigerian Archbishop reflected on the life of Jesus Christ during his ministry that involved tending and caring for the flock as recorded in the Gospel of St. John and said that by His deeds, Jesus exemplified the life of a true king and leader.

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“Unlike the worldly kings, who tend to lord it over their subjects, often tyrannical and dictatorial, domineering and greedy, Jesus as King is humble, His yoke is easy and His burden light,” Archbishop Kaigama said.

The Catholic Church leader, who started his Episcopal Ministry in April 1995 as Bishop of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Jalingo urged leaders to prioritize justice, equity, and the welfare of others while shunning corruption and nepotism.

The Archbishop invited the people of God in the West African nation to reflect on their readiness to embrace Christ’s kingship in their hearts and in the world. He asked, “Are we prepared to surrender to His reign and follow His example of servant leadership?”

He said, “We are challenged to see Christ in others, our politicians should promote a kingdom of love, justice, truth and peace. We should realize that at the end of time, every individual with or without political authority will have a direct encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.