The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged the Federal Government to address the rising food prices and worsening hardship in the country. In a communiqué released after their week-long second Plenary Meeting, held in Auchi Diocese, Edo State, the bishops called on the government to provide support to farmers through subsidies, soft loans, modern technology, and improved seedlings. They also emphasized the importance of supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
The bishops highlighted the severe challenges Nigerians are facing, including high electricity tariffs, costly petroleum products, expensive transportation, inadequate healthcare, and poor infrastructure. They called for a fundamental shift from political practices that prioritize power and self-enrichment to one that views politics as a service and commitment to the welfare of the people.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has declared 2024 as the Year of Prayer, leading up to the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025. They emphasized that prayer should be accompanied by action and repentance for past wrongdoings by individuals, communities, leaders, and the nation as a whole.
The bishops also called for greater vigilance to ensure that the liturgy is celebrated according to approved norms. They expressed serious concern over increasing irregularities during worship, including overly long services, excessive monetary collections, lack of silence and decorum, and alterations of sacramental words and elements.
In addition, the CBCN urged the government to address the underlying issues that lead to protests and to release all detained protesters. They condemned the use of violence by some protesters and the killing of citizens by security forces, while reaffirming the constitutional right to peaceful protest. The bishops also called on the government to reconsider its economic reform policies to alleviate the hardship faced by citizens and to focus on development that benefits the people.
The body also appealed to governments to harmonize taxes and address multiple taxation to stem the tide of business collapse and encourage investors even as they advised all Nigerians to observe the ongoing Year of Prayer, fast sincerely for the country, and commit the nation to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen and Patroness of Nigeria.
