The Catholic Bishops of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province (LEPCBCN) have sounded the alarm on the rising tide of neo-paganism in Nigeria, warning that it poses a significant threat to the country’s moral fabric. The prelates stated this in a communiqué released to the media at the end of their first plenary meeting for the year 2025, held recently, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos. The communiqué, signed by the LEPCBCN’s Chairman, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos and the Secretary, Most Rev. Francis Adesina, Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Diocese, expressed concern at the growing trend of neo-paganism, stressing that it requires urgent attention from all Nigerians.
They noted that the phenomenon is characterised by a rejection of traditional Christian values and a return to primitive and pagan practices. The bishops emphasised that neo-paganism is not only a threat to the Christian faith, but also to the very fabric of Nigerian society. They called on all Nigerians to be vigilant and to resist the temptation to abandon their Christian heritage in favour of pagan practices.
The communiqué read in part, “Many young people are being lured into money-making rituals and internet fraud activities, backed up by neo-pagan beliefs that give or offer false promises of wealth and protection. “It is imperative that religious leaders and parents take urgent action to address this trend by providing our young people with a sound biblical and moral foundation that is strengthened by appropriate mentorship opportunities in order to equip them to navigate the complexities of our modern world. “We must also engage with them in a more intentional way and listen to their concerns, so that we can provide them with relevant and meaningful support.”
The bishops expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life and the blessings of 2024, despite the challenges faced by the country. They urged Nigerians to look forward to the New Year with hope and optimism, trusting in God’s providence and guidance. The prelates also reflected on the Jubilee Year of Hope and various issues affecting the Church and the nation, including the need for ongoing priestly formation, the importance of family values, and the role of the Church in promoting social justice. They said, “We are grateful for the opportunities that the Jubilee Year 2025, proclaimed by our Holy Father Pope Francis, offers to all the faithful. It commenced on December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica and will be concluded on January 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
The Lagos Province has released a provincial programme of activities to celebrate the jubilee year. “The Jubilee Year with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, gives us all a chance to embrace the virtue of hope so that our hope in God can be strengthened, so that we can become efficient instruments for bringing hope to people in this time of conflicts, hunger and multidimensional poverty all over the world. “We encourage the faithful to use the Sacrament of Reconciliation for restoration and renewal of their relationship with God during this year. We also encourage everyone to participate in the activities of the year so as to benefit from the indulgences being offered to us during the year.” The communiqué read in parts, “We express our gratitude to the priests and religious congregations in our Province for their tireless efforts, working in conjunction with Associations of the lay faithful to advance the course of evangelisation by fostering vocations to the priestly and religious life.
“These efforts have yielded a notable increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We encourage individuals and associations of the lay faithful to persist in their efforts and also to explore new initiatives for primary and secondary evangelisation within the Archdiocese and the dioceses of the Lagos Province.” The bishops further expressed deep concern over the deplorable conditions and inadequate care afforded to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), migrants, and refugees in Nigeria, noting that the humanitarian crises precipitated by the activities of different terrorist groups, the communal conflicts and natural disasters in the country is alarming. “
According to the UNHCR, over 2.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes, lost their loved ones, their properties, means of livelihood and lacking the basic necessities of life.” The prelates also expressed concerns over the escalating security situation and issues that border on economy, corruption, poverty, violence, unemployment, noting that they have become major challenges to human existence.