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Tag: Ignatius Kaigama

  • Kaigama to FG: create policies that will improve economy

    Kaigama to FG: create policies that will improve economy

    The Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, on Thursday urged the federal government to prioritize policies that will foster meaningful social and economic improvements for Nigerians, particularly in the face of the nation’s ongoing economic challenges.

    In his keynote address at the ongoing 5th Annual General Assembly of the Archdiocese of Abuja, Kaigama emphasised the need for political leaders, especially Catholics in positions of power, to go beyond mere symbolic gestures and work towards tangible improvements in the lives of citizens. 

    The local ordinary of Abuja called for an end to the growing disparity between the elite and the suffering masses, particularly highlighting issues like escalating poverty, insecurity, and deteriorating infrastructure.

    “We must engage in actions that bring genuine development,” Kaigama stated, pointing out the urgent need for policies that address the high cost of living, insecurity, and the neglect of critical public infrastructure. 

    He expressed deep concern over the ongoing struggles of Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable, in light of the nation’s economic instability.

    The Archbishop also noted that Catholics, especially those in business and politics, must live their faith by contributing actively to the betterment of society. 

    He encouraged them to join the Church’s mission in expanding and supporting its evangelization efforts across the Archdiocese.

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    Kaigama called on all Catholics to deepen their spirituality and live out their faith in ways that have a transformative impact on both the Church and society, urging the faithful to advocate for policies that uplift the nation’s most marginalized populations.

    On his part, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, His Grace, Most Rev. Michael Crotty expressed his great honor and privilege in representing the Holy Father, emphasizing his deep connection to the Archdiocese of Abuja as both a representative and a member of the faithful. 

    He conveyed his excitement to become more familiar with the Archdiocese, visit its parishes and new pastoral areas, and be part of the faith community during his tenure. 

    He commended the Assembly as a blessed moment for the faithful to listen to God, share their thoughts in faith, and deliberate on important issues facing the Church. 

    Acknowledging the challenges within the society, including faith crises, neo-paganism, and poverty, the Nuncio reminded the assembly of the Church’s mission to be a beacon of hope, particularly for the suffering and marginalized. 

    He prayed that the Assembly would proceed in a spirit of synodality, with all members working together to advance the Gospel in Abuja and across Nigeria.

    The Nuncio took the opportunity to congratulate the Archbishop and the faithful of Abuja on the occasion of the Fifth General Assembly, noting that it also coincides with the Archbishop’s fifth anniversary in leading the Archdiocese. 

    In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Assembly, Mr. Patrick Ojeka, emphasized the significance of the gathering as an opportunity for the Archdiocese to reflect on its progress and set a course for the coming year. 

    He expressed gratitude to God for making the event possible, despite the challenges posed by the postponement from the original date in August. 

    He lauded the Archdiocesan leadership for their visionary initiatives, including the creation of 80 pastoral areas and the launch of transformative 5-year projects, which he described as impactful milestones for the Church.

    Ojeka also highlighted several pressing issues facing the Archdiocese, urging attention to the growing “pentecostalization” within the Church, the extended durations of Sunday Masses, and the need for more effective fundraising strategies during the annual Harvest Thanksgiving. 

    He stressed the importance of strengthening catechesis, supporting the youth through organizations like CYON, NFCS, and YCS, and addressing the challenges posed by mixed marriages. 

    Furthermore, he called for greater investment in key sectors like agriculture, real estate, and education to secure the Church’s future and uplift the welfare of its members. 

    Mr. Ojeka urged for the continuation of the long-awaited Cathedral project and expressed his hope for fruitful deliberations as the Assembly moves toward the dedication and consecration of the Archdiocese to Our Lady.

  • How to end agitations – Catholic bishops

    How to end agitations – Catholic bishops

    The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has appealed to the Federal Government to employ democratic measures to end the wave of agitations in some parts of the country.

    The bishops made the call in a communique issued at the end of the second plenary meeting of the conference in Jalingo on Friday.

    The communiqué was signed by the conference’s President, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos Archdiocese and its Secretary, Bishop William Avenya of Boko Diocese.

    The bishops also advised all aggrieved persons and groups across the country to employ peaceful means within the framework of the existing laws of the land to express their grievances.

    The communique said care must be taken by all to avoid actions and utterances capable of causing yet another armed conflict in any of its parts of the country.

    It reads: “Our country is currently passing through a phase that is marked by tension, agitation and a general sense of hopelessness and dissatisfaction. This, we believe, is as a result of years of injustice, inequity, corruption and impunity.

    “There are agitations in many sectors of the country against the lopsidedness in appointments into key institutions and sensitive national offices as well as marginalisation and unfair distribution of resources and amenities.

    “We, therefore, urge government at all levels to engage the aggrieved sections of the citizenry in a conversation worthy of a democracy.”

    The communique recalled President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural speech of May 29, 2015 were he pledged national integration and cohesion with his widely hailed statement, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.”

    It, however, noted that two years after, the reality on ground and the verdict of most people across the country, irrespective of religious affiliations, ethnic or social groupings, point to the contrary.

    According to the communique, the inability of government to address the imbalances in the country has provided a breeding ground for violent reactions, protests and agitations across the country.

    It, therefore, called on the government to urgently address the anomalies, by giving all a sense of belonging.

    The bishops also decried the continuous killings, maiming, kidnapping and other atrocities committed against innocent people by armed herdsmen and urged government to take prompt action to stop the onslaught.

    The communique urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country despite the challenges confronting them on a daily basis.

    NAN

  • Priest says rejection of Ahiara Bishop ‘disgrace’ to Catholic Church

    Priest says rejection of Ahiara Bishop ‘disgrace’ to Catholic Church

    A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr Philip Jamang, has described the rejection of Bishop Peter Okpalaeke by some members of Ahiara Diocese, Mbaise, in Imo, as a “disgrace” to the Catholic Church.

    Jamang, Parish Priest of Church of Assumption, Chongo Pyel, Jos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was particularly wrong for some priests to support those against a Bishop appointed by the Pope.

    “Their action is strange; it is an insult never heard of in the Catholic Church,” he said on Monday in Jos.

    NAN reports that Ahiara Catholic Diocese has remained without a Bishop, more than four years after the death of its pioneer Bishop, Rt. Rev. Victor Chikwe, after the rejection of Okpalaeke, who was appointed and consecrated in 2012.

    Sources indicated that a section of Mbaise priests, supported by a segment of the laity, had remained opposed to  Okpalaeke, citing clannish differences.

    In May 2017, the Pope gave the Diocese a 30-day ultimatum to accept Okpalaeke and apologise over their unruly behaviour to him, or face sanctions.

    The ultimatum expired last month without compliance.

    Jamang, while reacting to the lingering disagreement, said that the action of the priests and the laity had demeaned the Catholic Church and the sacred place of the Pontiff.

    “The Catholic Church is a united entity known for sanity and dignity. If today some sections of the Church, including priests in Ahiara, are rejecting a Bishop on the basis of clan, then something is really wrong.

    “Most of the Bishops are not natives of Dioceses where they serve. Bishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, for instance, is from Jalingo in Taraba. Bishop Mathew Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese is from Kaduna State.

    “For any Catholic faithful to insist that his or her Bishop must be a native of the area he is posted, is very odd and strange,” he said.

    Jamang urged Catholics and other Christians to accept and support people ordained by God and sent to work with them as his ministers, and avoid actions that would bring shame to Christianity.

    He also called on Christians to pray for the unity of the Church and Nigeria in general.

  • Buhari, catholic bishops meet in Aso Rock

    Buhari, catholic bishops meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night met behind closed doors with some Roman Catholic bishops at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting, which started at about 9:00pm was held at the First Lady Conference Room.

    Although agenda of the meeting was not disclosed, it may not be unconnected with the escalating herdsmen’ attacks and other challenges facing the country.

    About 16 bishops were in attendance when the meeting started.

    Among the bishops at the meeting are – Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama; Archbishop of Abuja, John Onaiyekan and the Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Hassan Mathew Kukah.

    The meeting was also attended by other top government officials.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Insecurity: Catholic Church holds six- month marathon prayer from July

    The Catholic Church in Nigeria has outlined a six-month marathon prayer for all Christians to tackle the challenge of insecurity facing the nation.

    The programme, which is at the instance of the Administrative Board of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), commences in July with special prayers for the safe release and return of all kidnapped people in Nigeria, specifically students of Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

    The six-month programme will end in December with prayers focused on the promotion of family values as well as protection of lives.

    A statement titled: A national call to prayer signed by President of the Conference, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, urged all bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful to observe the exercise.

     

     

    The high point of the six- month programme is the National Rosary Prayer Pilgrimage at the National Christian (Ecumenical) Centre, Abuja from November 14-15 with Bishops and Catholic faithful from all the 55 Archdioceses, dioceses and Vicariates in attendance.

     

  • Playing dangerous politics with religion

    Playing dangerous politics with religion

    Last weekend, the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama, spoke out against what has since become President Goodluck Jonathan’s penchant for turning the church pulpit into a political platform for playing politics and making policy statements. Politicians should, he said, instead go to meet people in their villages where they live in abject poverty. The archbishop spoke this bitter truth to power in an interview with the online newspaper, Premium Times.

    The warning, coming from a senior cleric who is also the president of the influential Nigerian Bishops Conference, couldn’t have been deader on target and timelier as we begin preparations for the next elections starting in February next year.

    As if to underscore Archbishop Kaigama’s concern about the gravity of playing dangerous politics with religion, The Guardian published an editorial last Monday which condemned what it said was “the increasing recourse to religion by both the Presidency and the main opposition party…”

    “The conversion of churches and mosques into the new political battlefield”, the newspaper said, was “a dangerous adventure that must stop immediately.”

    The Guardian, like the archbishop, is right to be worried about the way some of our politicians have been using religion to divide and rule us. It was, however, wrong to say this phenomenon was new. It was also wrong to accuse the main opposition party of doing the same thing. For, while the president has been going about from one pulpit to another talking policy and politics, there has not been any report of the leadership of the main opposition party – The Guardian named no name but we all know it meant the All Progressives Congress – going openly from mosque to mosque or from church to church trying to harvest votes.

    In any case, even if the main opposition party is guilty of the misuse of religion for political gain, the greater blame must still go to the president; as The Guardian itself said, even if this allegation against the main opposition party is true, the buck must stop on the president’s table as he is “expected to run the country and not ruin it.”

    The way he has used religion to try and rule the country, going all the way back to even before the day in 2011 he knelt publicly before the highly influential Pastor Enoch Adeboye at the Redemption Camp, Ogun State, of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, for blessing in the run-up to the presidential election that year, the president may yet ruin this country.

    By now it should be obvious that the president and his ruling Peoples Democratic Party are determined to avoid a campaign based on the performance of his administration. This is obvious from the way his sidekicks, notably Professor Jerry Gana, who needs no introduction as, among other things, the country’s longest serving minister of information, through the militant Asari Dokubo to Senator Smart Adeyemi, have been defining the basis of support for the president in terms of ethnicity, region and religion.

    Professor Gana, for example, said recently that the Middle Belt where he comes from will vote for the President, apparently regardless of the man’s record of performance which, in spite of the statistics of economic growth government officials like to bandy around, has been dismal as is pretty obvious from the pervasive poverty in the land. For Gana the Middle Belt will vote for the president because, in his own estimation, it is mainly Christian and peopled by minority tribes.

    Similarly Dokubo has said the Southsouth region where he and the president come from will vote solidly for their man simply because he is their man, and it does not matter that nothing has changed in the dismal and brutish life of the common South-Southerner in spite of all the region’s oil wealth and for all these years that their man has been president.

    Again, Senator Adeyemi said in an interview in The Guardian of last Monday that the Yorubas in the North will support the president in spite of the alliance between the mainstream Southwest and Northwest politicians led by Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, former Lagos State governor, and General Muhammadu Buhari, former military head of state and a perennial presidential candidate since 2003. “The gang-up,” as the senator called it, “seems more or less dominated by a section of Muslims from the Southwest who are in collaboration with some Northerners, who are also predominantly Muslims.”

    In what was clearly a gross misrepresentation of the Tinubu/Buhari “amalgam”, he said in the interview that those touting it as a possible winner should remember that what he said was a similar alliance between Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola as Western premier and Sir Ahmadu Bello as Northern premier only led to the disastrous Western regional crisis which, in turn, eventually led to the 1966 military coup. Chief Akintola had rebelled against the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whom he had succeeded as premier on the platform of the Action Group.

    Apparently the fact that Tinubu, unlike Akintola, represents mainstream politics in the South-West seems to have escaped the distinguished senator in his attempt to paint the opposition party in the false garb of an Islamic and Northern party.

    It is also obvious that the senator has ignored the fact that Tinubu’s wife is a staunch Christian and a pastor in her Church and that no one who knows the Asiwaju can accuse him of being a Muslim fundamentalist in the negative manner the West has portrayed such fundamentalism.

    Like Gana and Co., most of the president’s key supporters have strained themselves to create the impression that those opposed to their principal contesting next year’s election do so because he is a Christian and a minority and not because of his performance. And the president himself has hardly done anything to discourage this gross misrepresentation of the opposition.

    In this the president has merely been a good student of his erstwhile benefactor, former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. The reader may recall how the chief, with Gana as his minister of information, foisted the live telecast of the entire Sunday Service at the Villa Chapel on NTA’s audience, something which was unprecedented in our national live. It seems since then the student has surpassed his teacher in this cynical manipulation of religion for political gain.

    I believe it is naive to think religion should be separated from politics in so far as religion is about what is right and what is wrong in society. All religions tell us and basically agree on the right way and the wrong way to play politics and, for that matter, how to do almost anything. For me, therefore, what is wrong is not the mixing of politics and religion as such but using religion to cover up bad politics. And it is definitely bad politics to use religion – and for that matter ethnicity or region or anything else – to seek to manipulate and divide people, the easier to rule and exploit them.

    What Nigerians want are leaders prepared to serve the public interest regardless of where they come from or what deity they worship, not leaders too full of religiosity as our leaders have been.

    As president and commander-in-chief of our armed forces, Mr Goodluck Jonathan owes himself and his country the duty to take religiosity, in contradiction to religious ethics, out of our politics. Otherwise he may yet prove the prophets of doom right who say he is the last president Nigeria will have.