Following a meeting between Catholic Bishops in Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Catholic Bishops have issued a statement on the discussions.
The Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Michael Banjo, provided details of the meeting, which took place on March 14, 2025, at the State House in Abuja.
A delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President and Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, had paid a courtesy visit to President Tinubu to discuss pressing national issues.
In a statement signed by Banjo, he outlined the key topics addressed during the meeting, including security, economic stability, education, human rights, and governance, all with the overarching aim of promoting national peace and societal advancement.
“I accompanied the CBCN delegation to the meeting, which centered on critical national issues, including security, economic stability, education, human rights, and effective governance, with the overarching goal of promoting national peace and societal advancement,” Banjo stated.
While acknowledging the efforts of security agencies, the CBCN had expressed deep concern over the escalating incidents of banditry, kidnappings, and killings, particularly the alarming abduction and murder of Catholic clergy.
The statement revealed that at least 204 Catholic priests and seminarians have been abducted by religious extremists in the past decade.
“Over the past decade, at least 204 Catholic priests and seminarians have been abducted by religious extremists and agents of darkness. No fewer than 15 were brutally killed while in captivity, while at least three others died from trauma after their release,” he said.
Tragically, even on the day of the bishops’ visit, March 14, 2025, a seminarian, Peter Andrew, was said to have been kidnapped and killed in Auchi, Edo State.
The bishops also mourned the murder of Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, a priest from Kafanchan Diocese, who was brutally killed on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Beyond security concerns, the CBCN addressed the severe economic hardship resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira. The bishops emphasised the urgent need for policies that would alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, particularly the most vulnerable.
They also underscored the importance of equitable access to education and healthcare, advocating for increased investment in these sectors.
At the meeting, the bishops further called for the fair treatment of Christians, especially in Northern Nigeria, where they raised concerns about religious freedom and discrimination.
“Bishops also raised concerns about religious freedom, calling for justice in the treatment of Christian minorities in northern Nigeria and fairness in land allocation for places of worship,” he said.
In response to the bishops’ concerns, President Tinubu reassured them of his administration’s commitment to addressing insecurity, stabilising the economy, and fostering national unity.
“President Tinubu listened attentively to the CBCN’s concerns, reassuring the bishops of his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity, stabilising the economy, and fostering national cohesion. He also emphasised the government’s openness to collaboration with key stakeholders in advancing the nation’s welfare,” the statement by Banjo read in part.
It was also noted that during the meeting, the CBCN presented a communiqué from its recently concluded Plenary in Abuja, which contained its reflections on Nigeria’s socio-political landscape.
“The engagement at the State House reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to justice, peace, and sustainable national development despite the country’s many challenges,” the statement further highlighted.
As previously reported by SaharaReporters, President Tinubu assured the bishops of his impartiality, emphasising that insecurity affects all Nigerians, regardless of religion.
“This insecurity affects everyone—Christians and Muslims alike. I have no religious bias; I won’t be a bigot. My wife is a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church,” he stated.
He also claimed that security agencies were making progress in tackling insecurity, a statement that many Nigerians might dispute given the violent attacks, kidnappings, and killings across the country.
Since the removal of fuel subsidies, inflation has skyrocketed and food prices have hit record highs.
As businesses struggle to survive, millions of Nigerians are sinking deeper into poverty.
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