Navy Gets Spiritual Boost As Kaigama Dedicates Abuja Catholic Church

Navy Gets Spiritual Boost As Kaigama Dedicates Abuja Catholic Church

Princess-Ekwi Ajide

For more than two years, Catholic faithful in the Nigerian Navy community in Abuja worshipped in a makeshift shelter, holding on to their faith while hoping for a permanent place of worship. On Friday, that hope became reality as Corpus Christi Catholic Church at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters, Asokoro, Abuja, was solemnly dedicated.

The dedication, which also featured the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to 70 candidates, brought together Catholic faithful, naval officers, their families and religious leaders in a celebration that highlighted the importance of spiritual welfare, religious harmony and moral discipline in the military.

Presiding over the ceremony, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, charged Nigerian Navy personnel to complement their military training and operational responsibilities with spiritual strength, integrity and peaceful coexistence.

In his homily, Kaigama stressed that military strength and sophisticated weapons were not enough to overcome life’s battles without a strong spiritual foundation.

“You may have strong weapons and still be spiritually weak. We need to be strong in the Lord to win battles and the war,” he said.

The Archbishop noted that while the Nigerian Navy was responsible for protecting the country’s maritime boundaries and territorial integrity, the Church had an equally important responsibility to provide the moral and spiritual guidance needed by personnel.

He urged naval officers and their families to uphold teamwork, mutual trust, respect and integrity, noting that these values were essential not only to military operations but also to peaceful relationships within society.

On religious tolerance, Kaigama commended the presence of a Protestant church and a mosque close to the newly dedicated Catholic Church, describing the arrangement as an example of the religious harmony Nigeria needs.

He urged Nigerians to look beyond religious differences and recognise their shared humanity.

“Protect religious harmony. Use this church as a spiritual harbour for peace, hope, forgiveness and salvation,” he admonished.

The Archbishop also encouraged the Catholic community to make good use of the church, its Blessed Sacrament chapel and grotto, stressing that the value of a place of worship was not determined by its architectural beauty but by the sincerity and holiness of those who worshipped there.

Addressing the 70 candidates who received Confirmation, Kaigama described the sacrament as a call to greater maturity and responsibility in the Christian faith.

Using the Navy’s rank structure as an illustration, he encouraged them to pursue spiritual growth with the same commitment and determination with which military personnel advance in their careers.

He also reminded their godparents that their responsibilities extended beyond the confirmation ceremony to providing continued prayers, guidance and encouragement.

From makeshift shelter to permanent sanctuary

In his address, the Acting Director of Roman Catholic Chaplaincy Services, Nigerian Navy, Very Rev. Fr. Capt. (NN) Richmond Chibike Diala, described the dedication as the fulfilment of a vision that began with modest resources but strong faith.

Diala disclosed that a little over two years ago, the Catholic community had no established naval Catholic headquarters church of such capacity in Abuja.

What started in a makeshift shelter had now developed into a permanent sanctuary, which he described as evidence of God’s faithfulness and the generosity of the Nigerian Navy.

Recalling the humble beginnings, he quoted a child’s description of the transformation: “From Batcher to ‘Basilica’!”

He said the achievement was made possible through divine providence, institutional support and the sacrifices of naval chaplains, lay faithful, benefactors and members of the church dedication committee.

The priest expressed appreciation to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, and the leadership of the Nigerian Navy for providing the institutional support and facilities that made the project possible.

He noted that the gesture demonstrated that military welfare should go beyond operational readiness to include the spiritual, moral and family well-being of personnel.

Diala also acknowledged the contributions of former naval chaplains, particularly those who laid the foundations for the Catholic apostolate within the Navy, including the late Very Rev. Fr. Capt. Christopher Umaru Chindo.

He paid tribute to the pioneer Caretaker Council, chaplains, chaplain assistants, parishioners and members of the dedication committee for their commitment throughout the two-year journey.

A new responsibility for the Catholic community

While describing the dedication as a major achievement, Diala said the completion of the building marked the beginning of a greater responsibility to nurture a vibrant Christian community.

“We have built a church; now we must build a community,” he declared.

He urged Catholics in the Navy to make the church a centre of holiness, Eucharistic devotion, compassion, integrity and service, where families could flourish and vulnerable people find consolation.

He further challenged the faithful to translate their religious convictions into responsible citizenship, exemplary conduct and peaceful coexistence.

The community’s motto, he said, would remain: “One Faith! One Family!! One Body!!!”

Earlier, Rear Admiral A.J. Sianbade, representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, formally handed over the church key to Archbishop Kaigama, who subsequently presented it to Diala to oversee the church.

The dedication rites included the blessing and anointing of the altar with Chrism oil, incensation, and the installation of 12 crucifixes representing the 12 Apostles of Christ. Candles were also lit as part of the solemn consecration.

The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the Catholic community in the Nigerian Navy, providing a permanent place for worship, fellowship and spiritual development.

For the faithful who began with a makeshift shelter, the new church represents more than a completed building.

It is a testament to collective sacrifice and a renewed opportunity to strengthen faith, family life and religious harmony within the military community.