Let’s Open Our Hearts to Be “more supportive” to Needy: Catholic Archbishop in Niger in Christmas Message

He also laments the protracted and persistent threat of terrorism across the Sahel region, which he says has negatively impacted the lives of many. 

“This year, Christmas is celebrated in a context marked by the war in Russia and Ukraine, in Israel and Gaza, in Sudan, without forgetting the recurrent problem of terrorism which continues to make victims and endangers many families in our airspace,” the Catholic Church leader says.

He continues, “In this difficult time, the child Jesus comes to bring us the salvation of God and hope for a better tomorrow.”

The Nativity of Jesus is a testament to God's unwavering presence among us, offering love and salvation even in times of hardship, Archbishop Lompo says, and emphasizes, “The celebration of Christmas reminds us that God is with us and he is by our side, always to manifest his love and free us from all that entraps us.”

The Local Ordinary of Niamey continues, “The message of Christmas resists religious intolerance, violence, the oblivion of the poor, injustice, corruption, and social inequalities. At Christmas, we celebrate the love of God for humanity.”

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“At Christmas, we celebrate the proximity of God with man. At Christmas, we celebrate the solidarity of God with man. At Christmas, God comes to be with humanity in its joys and in its sorrows,” Archbishop Lompo emphasizes.

He implores, “May Christ be born on this very holy night of Christmas, protect us from all evil, protect our country, Niger, and grant us peace in our sub-region of the Sahel so that it can keep our hope alive forever.”