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“Don’t let politics or money scatter us”: Nigerian Archbishop at Conclusion of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has called on Church leaders to foster unity, holiness, and collaboration, urging them to resist the divisive forces of politics and money. 

Speaking at the conclusion of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on January 25, Archbishop Kaigama warned against division within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“Let us preserve CAN as a place of unity and holiness. Don’t let politics or money scatter us,” the Nigerian Catholic Archbishop said.

He added, “Let us give each other the right hand of fellowship and stick together as brothers and sisters in Christ.”

“This little effort we are making will one day become very, very big,” Archbishop Kaigama said in his sermon, highlighting the progress made in fostering unity among Christians in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

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Reflecting on the need for interdenominational exchange, the Archbishop of Abuja proposed a more interactive format for future gatherings. 

“Next year, instead of sermons, I would love to hear experiences from different church groups,” the Archbishop said. 

He cited the Catholic Church’s celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God as an example to counter misconceptions that Catholics do not engage with Scripture. 

Archbishop Kaigama’s reflection also focused on eschatology and the importance of living with an eternal perspective. 

“The kingdom of God is both present and yet to be fully realized,” he said, urging Christians to live as “active citizens” of God’s kingdom by practicing justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

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He further challenged Christians to reflect on their commitment to discipleship. 

“It is not enough to be a mere follower of Christ,” Archbishop Kaigama asserted, and posed, “Are you a curious Christian, just coming to church for curiosity’s sake? Or are you a true disciple—a student willing to learn and stay with Jesus? If you want to be a member of this kingdom, you must be a disciple.”

The Abuja Chapter CAN Chairman, Rev. Timothy Amakom reflected on how interdenominational engagements such as visits to different churches, have fostered greater understanding among Christians in Nigeria.

He identified disunity as one of the greatest challenges facing Nigerian Christians, saying, “That is why we are trying to bring ourselves together in order to meet up with the prayer of Jesus Christ in John 17:21, where He prayed that we all should be one.”

“In the past, people condemned one another, but today we are bridging the gap. We are now coming together to see ourselves as one,” he said.

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Rev. Amakom also addressed the growing persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

“We are taking measures, going to those areas, meeting state governors and relevant stakeholders to discuss the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of worship,” he said, adding that CAN is working on strategies to ensure Christians can freely practice their faith across all regions of Nigeria, especially in areas traditionally seen as hostile to Christians.

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.