As Nigeria navigates the complexities of its socio-economic and political landscape, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) remains a vital voice in promoting peace, justice and development. The Editor, NETA NWOSU chats with the President of CBCN, Most Rev. (Dr.) Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese on the ecclesiastical organ’s major concerns and priorities for the year 2025 as well as the nation’s most pressing challenges and the Church’s role. Excerpts:
Your Excellency, as we begin the year 2025, what are the major concerns and priorities of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria?
The well-being of all Nigerians, including our flock, is of utmost concern to our Conference of Bishops. Despite our numerous interventions and appeals to citizens and the government, the country’s situation remains largely unchanged. The few positive efforts are overshadowed by the colossal failure of the system. The rising incidents of insecurity, kidnapping, and life-threatening hunger amidst plenty are alarming. It’s unacceptable that Nigeria, blessed with abundant resources, struggles with poverty and hunger. The root causes of these issues – corruption, mismanagement, and nepotism – permeate every aspect of national life, affecting medical care, education, societal systems, and even the judiciary. We urge the government to address these pressing concerns and work towards creating a better future for all Nigerians. As shepherds, we will continue to advocate for the welfare of our flock and the nation at large. Within the Church, we face internal concerns that warrant attention. While we thank God for the growing number of Catholics and the dynamism in our parishes, we must address the quality of faith among our people. The prevalence of liturgical abuses among some priests is disheartening. Similarly, the attraction of our youths to shrines and rituals raises concerns about their true conversion. Furthermore, many are drifting away from the sacraments due to difficulties in meeting the traditional and Church requirements for marriage or simply due to disinterest. These issues necessitate a renewed focus on spiritual and pastoral guidance to nurture the faith of our people and foster a deeper connection with the Church’s teachings and sacraments.

How does the CBCN plan to address the various socio-economic and political challenges facing Nigeria in 2025?
We will continue to do that which is our duty and responsibility; to be spiritual fathers and moral guide to the society. We will continue to pray for the nation and provide meaningful guidance to both those in government and the citizens. We will continue to build and maintain bridges among persons and groups. We will continue to make our voices heard, especially in favour of the most vulnerable in the country and stand up for the common good. We will continue to seek development and peace, that is based on justice and fairness, for the nation. We will continue to encourage the laity to participate in politics, since that is a major way they can influence the society with the gospel values. At the same time, we shall not be tired of engaging in civic enlightenment for the citizen, directly and through our various organs. We shall continue to ensure that our various social organs are more responsive and available to Nigerians, irrespective of tongue and creed, to cushion, in some way, the effects of the poor state of the economy.
What message of hope and encouragement do you have for Nigerian Catholics as we experience another new year?
As bishops, we emphasise the importance of hope, as one of the three theological virtues, along with faith and love. While thanking God for life, we must remain hopeful and encourage others to do so, especially amidst difficulties and uncertainties. We are very conscious of that duty. However, our hope must be grounded in trust in God, coupled with efforts to address individual and societal wrongs. In other words, righteousness must be the foundation of our hope. We are reminded that God loves us, desires the best for us, and remains constant in his love for us. If we feel distant from God, it is we who have moved, not God. Therefore, we urge true conversion and a return to God. Our call to true conversion entails trust in God’s promises, reliance on God’s mercy, and desire for eternal life. Through this conversion, we can rekindle hope and foster a deeper relationship with God.
How will the CBCN collaborate with other Christian denominations and faith-based organizations to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding in Nigeria?
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has consistently sought opportunities for dialogue and collaboration with other Christian denominations and people of different faiths. To this end, our Catholic Secretariat has a dedicated department called Mission and Dialogue, which focuses on fostering ecumenical or inter-Church dialogue, building relationships with other Christian denominations through the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and engaging in inter-faith dialogue by belonging to the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). The commitment to ecumenical dialogue is replicated in all dioceses through CAN and other ecumenical organs, ensuring a unified and collaborative approach to promoting understanding and cooperation with people of different faiths.

What initiatives will the CBCN undertake in 2025 to promote evangelisation and missionary work in Nigeria?
The Holy Father has designated 2025 as a Jubilee Year of Hope, setting the spiritual and pastoral tone for the Church. As part of the universal celebration, conferences worldwide will implement special programs, while individual bishops will adapt these initiatives to their unique diocesan contexts. The Jubilee Year of Hope is particularly relevant for us in Nigeria, as we face immense challenges. In times of hardship, we are reminded of our dependence on God, prompting us to seek Him through fervent prayer and devotion. The Church will therefore seize this opportunity to renew calling her children to repentance, foster greater devotion to God’s work, and promote salvation and the common good. This Jubilee Year will be a special season of prayer, renewal, and spiritual growth.
What plans does the CBCN have to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life in Nigeria?
I don’t think we have challenges with vocation at the moment in the country, if by ‘promote’ you referring to the number of candidates for the priesthood and religious life. We can say that at the moment, comparatively, we are having very bountiful harvest, for which we are very grateful to God. However, that is not to say that all is well. While we are blessed with a relatively high number of candidates for the priesthood and religious life in Nigeria, our concerns regarding vocations go beyond mere numbers. One pressing issue is the daunting task of discerning true vocations amidst the crowd. As the Latin phrase goes, “Ubi multitudo, ibi pecata” (“where there is a crowd, there are sins”). Some people attribute the surge in vocations to the country’s poor economic situation, although this remains speculative. What is alarming, however, are certain attitudes and developments among some priests, religious, and seminarians. We are witnessing a disturbing trend of young men in Holy Order leaving to get married, embracing traditional worship, and other disconcerting stories. These incidents definitely warrant grave concern and prompt us to re-examine our approach to vocational discernment and formation.
What initiatives will the CBCN undertake to promote healthcare and wellness for Catholics and non-Catholics alike in Nigeria?
What else can one expect, given the circumstances? Across our dioceses, the numerous healthcare facilities operated by the Church have become the sole hope for many Nigerians, especially the poor and downtrodden in the society. We have numerous healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and dispensaries, which provide medical care to people regardless of their faith. The Church operates primary healthcare centres in many of its parishes, providing basic medical care, immunization, and health education. We also run several hospitals, including general and specialist hospitals, which provide secondary and tertiary healthcare services. Besides these, the Church also provides community-based healthcare services, including home-based care, palliative care, and HIV/AIDS care. It is clear that the Church plays a significant role in providing healthcare services to the people of Nigeria.
How will the CBCN collaborate with other African episcopal conferences to address regional challenges and promote peace, justice, and development?
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) is an active member of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA), a coalition of Catholic Episcopal Conferences in West Africa. RECOWA aims to promote regional cooperation, share resources, and address common challenges both within the Church and secular society. Its objectives include promoting evangelization and pastoral care, fostering regional cooperation, addressing social and economic issues, supporting human development and education, and encouraging ecumenical and interfaith dialogue. The last plenary assembly of RECOWA took place here in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2022. At the continental level, RECOWA is one of eight regional associations within the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, SECAM seeks to promote unity, solidarity, and cooperation among Catholic bishops in Africa, as well as address common challenges facing the Church on the continent. SECAM plays a vital role in advancing the Church’s mission in Africa, fostering collaboration among bishops, clergy, and laity across the continent. Thus, collaboration with other conferences in Africa is on-going, as you can see, through the established structures.