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Nigeria

Official Logo 2020 World Apostolic Congress on Mercy. / WACOM 2020 website

African Pilgrims Urged “to intensify devotion to Divine Mercy” as World Congress Postponed

Aug 12, 2020

Pilgrims from Africa who had planned to be part of the fifth World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM) in the Island nation of Samoa have been encouraged “to intensify” their devotion to the Divine Mercy in their respective contexts.

Christians hold signs as they march on the streets of Abuja during a prayer and penance for peace and security in Nigeria on March 1, 2020.

40-Day Prayer “for God to save Nigeria” Announced, to End on Eve of Independence Day

Aug 11, 2020

Against the background of persistent insecurity in Nigeria, Catholic Bishops in the West African nation have announced a 40-day prayer period during which God’s intervention will be sought for an end to the security crisis that has been described as “genocide”.

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama with Tiv and Jukun women at a women Peace-Building Conference that took place at the Global Suite Hotel in Nigeria’s Nasarwa State. / Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama

“Tell your children, husbands, relations to drop arms”: Nigerian Prelate to Women

Aug 8, 2020

At a peace-building conference organized to seek solutions to the interethnic violence between the Tiv and Jukun communities in Nigeria, the Archbishop of Abuja in the West African country has underscored the role women can play to bring an end to the conflict, urging them to reach out to their “children, husbands or relations to drop the arms.”

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese, Nigeria.

It is Genocide Indeed, Nigerian Bishop Says of Increased Killings

Aug 7, 2020

A Catholic Bishop in Nigeria’s Diocese of Sokoto has likened the increased killings of Nigerian Christians by Fulani herdsmen who also target Muslims in the west African country to genocide, a statement that concurs with a recently published report in the United Kingdom (UK) that suggests unfolding genocide in Nigeria.

Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos Archdiocese.

Four Months “of spiritual, emotional difficulty, the Lord by our side”: Nigerian Prelate

Aug 7, 2020

As the people of God in Nigeria’s Archdiocese of Lagos look forward to resuming public worship on Sunday, August 9, the Local Ordinary of the Archdiocese has, in a statement, described the last four months as “a period of spiritual, emotional and material difficulty” amid the conviction that the Lord “was by our side.”

Members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).

“Take security as a top priority for every Nigerian,” Religious Leaders Tell Government

Aug 5, 2020

Disturbed by the state of insecurity in Africa’s most populous country, members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) have called on the government to prioritize the security of its citizens.

Map of the Federal Republic of Nigeria showing Kaduna state where there has been an upsurge in violence recently.

“Adopt a grassroots approach in handling” Insecurity: Nigerian Cleric Tells Government

Aug 3, 2020

In the wake of the recent spate of violence in Nigeria’s northwestern state of Kaduna, a Cleric in Africa’s most populous nation has called on the country’s Federal Government to embrace a “grassroots approach in handling” insecurity in the affected regions of the country.  

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama (left) during Thursday's press conference in Abuja, Nigeria. / Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama

Nigerian Archbishop Shares Face Masks Experience in Light Moments with Journalists

Aug 3, 2020

An interactive session between Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese and journalists in the west African country on the role of the journalists in the times of COVID-19 pandemic was dotted with light moments as the vocal Archbishop shared the biggest challenge he faced with the use of face masks.

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Abuja Archdiocese, Nigeria. / CTV Abuja, Nigeria.

Help Needy amid COVID-19’s “dark moments of negative social consequences”-Nigerian Prelate

Aug 3, 2020

The Archbishop of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese has urged citizens of the West African country to be generous towards the needy people in the society amid the social challenges occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

Bishop Michael Kalu Ukpong Auxiliary Bishop of Nigeria’s Umuahia Diocese. / Diocese of Umuahia

Bishop’s Title “one of humble service, not self-glorification”: New Nigerian Bishop Told

Jul 31, 2020

At the Eucharistic celebration on the occasion of the Episcopal Ordination of the Auxiliary Bishop of Nigeria’s Umuahia Diocese Thursday, July 30, the Local Ordinary of the same Diocese advised the Bishop-elect to view his appointment as a humble service to the people of God and not as “an honor” that triggers “self-glorification.”

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese.

Corruption in Nigeria’s State Sectors “worrisome, scandalous, mind boggling”: Archbishop

Jul 27, 2020

Reports of “pervasive corruption” and manipulations of leaders “craving for power” in Nigeria are concerns, which an Archbishop in the West African nation has voiced against, terming the trend as scandalous, mind boggling, “terribly worrisome and unfortunate.”

Sr. Anthonia Orji, DSP, Education Officer and Manager of the Welfare, Empowerment Mobility (WEM)  in Accra Archdiocese. / Rays of Hope WEM Centre

Meet Nigerian Nun Seeking to Break Chains of Child Labor in Ghana

Jul 21, 2020

At Welfare Empowerment Mobility (WEM) located in Ghana’s Archdiocese of Accra, young people from impoverished backgrounds who spent years of their childhood on the streets in the West African nation, toiling to make a living away from school, have found a new home.

Logo Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP).

Faith Communities to Prioritize “lifting hope of our people”: Religious Leaders in Nigeria

Jul 17, 2020

Religious leaders in Nigeria have, at the virtual Faith Leaders’ Dialogue Forum organized by Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) in partnership with Faith for Peace Initiative (FPI), underscored the need for “Faith and Inter-faith communities” to collaborate and give hope to citizens of the West African nation amid COVID-19 challenges.

Nigerian-born Professor Kokunre A. Agbontaen-Eghafona who was appointed 10 July 2020 to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences as an Ordinary Member. / Professor Kokunre A. Agbontaen-Eghafona

“This elevation is a miracle of God”: Nigerian Professor Appointed to Pontifical Academy

Jul 15, 2020

The Nigerian Professor of Cultural Anthropology who was recently appointed to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences by the Holy Father has described the appointment as an “elevation” that “is a miracle of God.”

Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province after their July 13 to14 meeting held at Nigeria’s M&M centre, Ilorin, Kwara State. / Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Challenges “seem to be hydra-headed monsters”: Ibadan Province Bishops

Jul 15, 2020

Bishops in Nigeria’s Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have expressed their concerns about the failure to deal with the challenges that have bedeviled their country over years including those related to insecurity, describing the challenges as “hydra-headed monsters, reappearing as often as they seem subdued.”

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama with members of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). / Archbishop Kaigama's Facebook page

Church, Government in Nigeria to Partner in Fight against Rape, Human Trafficking

Jul 13, 2020

The Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is seeking to partner with the Catholic Church in the West African country in view of fighting “against trafficking and rape of persons,” an official in Nigeria’s Archdiocese of Abuja has announced in a report.

Professor Kokunre A. Agbontaen-Eghafona, appointed by Pope Francis as an Ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences on Friday, July 10, 2020.

Pope Francis Appoints Nigerian Professor of Cultural Anthropology to Pontifical Academy

Jul 10, 2020

A Nigerian Professor of Cultural Anthropology with research interests in oral literature and ethnography as well as peoples and cultures in her native country of Nigeria and Africa in general among other specific areas of study has been appointed as an Ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

Dieudonne Cardinal Nzapalainga (left), Bishop Denis Isizoh (Center), and Archbishop Paul Desfarges (right) appointed by Pope Francis to the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue (PCID).

Three Prelates in Africa Advancing Religious Tolerance Join Rome’s Interreligious Council

Jul 9, 2020

Three African Prelates known for promoting religious tolerance in their respective countries are set to join the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue (PCID) as members after Pope Francis appointed them to the Vatican-based dicastery of the Roman Curia.

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Nigeria’s Abuja Archdiocese.

"Social distancing does not mean neglecting God, neighbors": Nigerian Prelate

Jul 6, 2020

In the face of COVID-19 restrictions still in place in many parts of the world, including social distancing, a Catholic Prelate in Nigeria has cautioned against the temptation to neglect God and neighbor in the name of practicing the physical distance directive.

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg, at the Vatican, Oct. 5, 2019. / Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

European Bishops Call for EU Support of Persecuted Christians in Nigeria

Jul 4, 2020

The president of the European bishops’ commission has promised persecuted Christians in Nigeria that he will advocate for increased support from the European Union.