MISSION APPEAL FOR THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ABA, NIGERIA MISSION APPEAL FOR THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ABA, NIGERIA

The Catholic Diocese of Aba is situated in the South-eastern part of Nigeria. Nigeria as we already know is the most populous Black nation on earth. From the religious perspective, the country is divided into two predominant religions: Christianity and Islam. While the Northern part of the country is predominantly Muslim, the Southern part is essentially Christian. The reason for this reality is historical. The Northern part of the country (which shares vast borders with the Sahara Desert) was influenced by the Arab world, and consequently, the Islamic faith settled in the area as the dominant religion. On the other hand, the Southern part of the country is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, and it was from there that the Irish Missionaries brought the Catholic faith. This explains the reason the Christian faith is more consolidated in the Southern part of the country. That is also the reason Saint Patrick is the Patron Saint of Nigeria! Read More

Nigeria was an ex-British colony, which gained her Independence in 1960. The Country is made up of more than 750 ethnic nationalities (tribes), with their respective languages. Consequently, the only language which unites the country is English. In Nigeria, tribe and religion always play a huge role in the political sector. That is the reason there has always been tension and conflict between the Muslim North and the Christian South. Notably, the political configuration of the country was arranged/rigged by the British colonialists in a way that favored and continues to favor the Muslim North against the Christian South. For this reason, the Muslims have continued to enjoy unrivaled and out-sized advantage in the political landscape over the Christians. Furthermore, the country’s leaders (who most of the time are Muslims) have been working relentlessly to ensure that the Muslim religion spreads to all parts of the country. They do this by overt and covert means – through unfair and oppressive government policies, and through tacit encouragement of terrorist activities against Christians. We all are witnesses to the ongoing deadly assault that Boko Haram and other Islamic terrorist groups have been unleashing on innocent Christians in the country. Attacks and massacre of Christians during masses, and kidnappings and murders of priests and religious in the country are sadly routine occurrences. The goal of these heartless leaders and their acolytes is to completely eradicate the Christian/Catholic faith from the country.

It must be noted that Nigeria currently is among the few nations in the globe that produces the highest number of Catholic priests and religious. The Catholic faith is very strong especially in the Southern part of the country, regardless of the sustained attacks and persecutions. Nigeria continues to export priests to other parts of the world, especially to the Western countries. We might as well call it “a reversal of history” – many priests from the country are being sent as missionaries to the countries that originally brought the faith to the African Continent. It is a kind of “re-evangelization of the Evangelizers!” 

Aba Diocese, for whom we are having this Mission Appeal, is in the forefront of the fight to save the Catholic faith in the Country. The Local Ordinary, Bishop Augustine Echema, is facing the challenge of establishing and/or sustaining many projects aimed at helping consolidate the faith in his jurisdiction. They include: the Diocesan Minor Seminary (where I began my journey to the priesthood when I was 12 years old), the Diocesan Spiritual Year Seminary, the Diocesan Primary and Secondary Schools, the Diocesan Hospital which offers medical treatments to the poor people of the diocese at hugely subsidized rates, the Diocesan Pastoral Center etc. 

The persistent global economic challenges continue to pose a big obstacle to the realization of some of these projects and the maintenance of those that are already in place. Your financial assistance and generosity will go a long way to helping support the fight of this local Church to keep the faith alive in that part of the world. For any further inquiries or information as to how you could help the Diocese, I will be more than happy to answer your questions. 

On behalf of Bishop Augustine Echema, I most sincerely thank Monsignor John Barry (our Pastor) for his amazing missionary spirit, and for his warm welcome to me in this lovely parish. I also thank his Staff and the entire parish community for your hospitality and generosity. May God bless you all.

- Father Chidi Ekpendu