Catholic Bishops Call for Hope, Compassion, And Action This Christmas
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
As Christians worldwide celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, some prominent Catholic clerics in Nigeria have shared Christmas messages urging hope, compassion, and decisive action to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.
In Lagos, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins emphasised the urgent need for leaders to prioritise citizens’ welfare, especially amid rising hunger, unemployment, and insecurity.
Highlighting recent tragic stampedes over food palliatives, which claimed about 100 lives, the Archbishop called on the government to address loopholes perpetuating poverty and hardship.
He urged for policies that enable business growth, food security, and job creation, stressing that “if citizens have food in their homes, they would not endanger their lives scrambling for palliatives.”
Archbishop Martins prayed for the affected families and encouraged Nigerians to embody the spirit of Christmas by showing love, charity, and solidarity. “This season reminds us of God’s profound love. Let us extend that love to the vulnerable and marginalized among us,” he stated.
Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze of Benin City on his part, centered his message on the theological virtue of hope.
Reflecting on Romans 5:5, he encouraged Nigerians to persevere through adversity with Christ as their anchor. “Without hope, our lives would be shrouded in despair, but with Christ, we find resilience and the courage to face challenges,” he said.
The Archbishop called on the faithful to become “ambassadors of hope” by forgiving others, supporting the vulnerable, and spreading Christ’s light to those in despair.
As Nigeria anticipates the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025, he urged everyone to place their trust in God and look forward to brighter days.
The bishop of Abeokuta Most Reverend Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo, urged Nigerians to embrace the “Renewed Hope” brought by Christ’s birth, reminding all that hope in God remains steadfast, even amid the country’s challenges.
He called on leaders to prioritise youth empowerment, food security, and healthcare while urging citizens to remain united in rebuilding Nigeria.
Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin of Ibadan emphasised the essence of Christmas as a time for moderation, sharing, and care for the less privileged.
He highlighted the need to celebrate with humility and extend Christ’s love to all, especially the poor.
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja underscored the season as a call to unity and compassion.
While mourning the recent tragic stampede in Abuja caused by hunger, he encouraged collective efforts to address poverty to prevent future tragedies.
Kaigama praised volunteers who risked their safety to serve, calling them the “heroes of 2024.”
As the nation reflects on these messages, the bishops remind all Nigerians that Christ’s birth offers a path of hope, love, and renewal for the journey ahead.
In the messages sent through the Natinal Director of Social Communications, Very Reverend father Michael Umoh, the bishops reminded Nigerians that the essence of Christmas lies in love, hope, and compassion, urging unity in the quest for a better nation.
