Apostolic Nuncio in Sierra Leone Urges Christians to Embrace Transformative Power of God’s Word

Archbishop Erbì noted that Jesus' mission, as foretold in the prophet Isaiah, was to bring good news to the poor, freedom to captives, and healing to the brokenhearted. He emphasized that this message is not merely historical but continues to call Christians to action.

“The Word of God is not just a sacred text to be admired; it is a force that calls us to conversion, to action, to love. It is a living Word that challenges us to see Christ in the poor, the suffering, and the forgotten,” the Italian-born 57-year-old Archbishop said.

The Apostolic Nuncio in Sierra Leone who also represents the Holy Father in Liberia and The Gambia warned against reducing faith to rigid legalism, which he described as a distortion of true spirituality.

He said faith is not “a set of rigid rules”, but a journey of transformation, and a call to love and service.

Archbishop Erbì cautioned the people of God against a spirituality that isolates them from the world, urging them instead to engage with the realities of life, especially the struggles of the marginalized.

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“Jesus did not come to deliver a set of rules or officiate at religious ceremonies. Rather, He descended to the streets of our world to encounter our wounded humanity, to caress faces furrowed by suffering, to bind our broken hearts, and to set us free from the chains that imprison the soul,” he said.

The Archbishop called on the faithful to reflect on the injustices present in society, particularly the suffering of those facing poverty, violence, and displacement. He expressed sorrow over the indifference that often accompanies such challenges.

“How much pain do we feel when we see our brothers and sisters dying because of famine, perishing at sea because no one will let them come ashore? And yet, some people justify this in God's name. The Word of God urges us to act, to go beyond words and offer concrete help to those in need,” he said.

He cautioned against excuses that allow Christians to avoid responsibility, saying, “We cannot hide behind the complexity of problems, behind the excuse that nothing can be done. The Word of God challenges the self-justification that makes us blame everything on others, while we remain passive observers.”

The Nuncio emphasized that the Word of God must be at the heart of Christian life, shaping personal spirituality and the Church’s mission.

“The Word of God nurtures and renews faith. Let us put it back at the center of our prayer and our spiritual life. It is the Word that reveals to us who God truly is and draws us closer to Him,” Archbishop Erbì said.

He encouraged Catholics to make scripture a daily part of their lives, echoing Pope Francis’ call for a deeper familiarity with the Bible.

“Let us begin with the Gospel. Let us keep it open on our table, carry it in our pocket or our bag, or even read it on our cell phones. This way, we will discover that God is close to us, that He dispels our darkness and leads our lives with great love,” the Catholic Church leader said.

Archbishop Erbì added, “Let us go forward with confidence, relying upon the never-failing help of Mary, the Mother of God and our mother, the one who believed without doubt in the Word of God and became the Mother of the Word made flesh.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.