Christ-centeredness, Altruism Sustain Eucharistic Nature of Church: Nuncio in Nigeria

“How can one continue to foment within the Church contrasts, divisions, oppositions and partisanship of various kinds?” the Italian-born Apostolic Nuncio posed in his homily on the last day of Nigeria’s fifth National Eucharistic Congress that began on November 11.

He called upon the people of God in Africa’s most populous nation to use the Eucharistic Congress to foster unity in the words of Jesus in St. John’s Gospel, “May they be one, so that the world may believe”.

The Vatican diplomat also expressed concern about the Church’s challenges, which are mostly caused by her members, saying, “Difficulties in the Church community arise not only from external attacks, such as persecution or discrimination, which we rightly condemn. Instead, they come from the wrong attitudes of the baptized – Priests, consecrated persons and laity.”

He further said that some internal divisions in the Church are caused by some “charismatic” characters who make false promises and raise false hopes.

The Italian-born diplomat urged Christians to be cautious about those who testify falsehoods among members of the church. 

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“Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them,” Archbishop Filipazzi said, citing Christ’s words in the Gospel Reading of the thirty-third Sunday, November 13. 

The representative of the Holy Father called on Catholics in the West African nation to remain united in the Eucharist.

“The Eucharist is the Sacrament that guarantees light and strength from above that we will persevere in remaining in the unity of the Church and in serving ‘the weak’, that is, to be more and more what we celebrate in every Holy Mass,” he said.

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.