VATICAN CITY, APR 20, 2002 (VIS) - The bishops of Nigeria were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning as they complete their quinquennial "ad limina" visit. As he began his speech in English, the Pope noted that their "country boasts one of the largest Catholic populations in the whole of Africa and there is a steady increase in numbers." Moreover, he said "you are blessed with many vocations to the priesthood and religious life, which also allow you to send missionaries to other African nations."
"Through your leadership," he stated, "the Church is actively involved in Nigerian national life, constantly urging solidarity, the exercise of civic responsibility and the overcoming of tensions and conflict through dialogue and reconciliation ... as Nigeria continues along the path of transition from military rule to democratic government."
The Holy Father underscored the problems that plague Nigerian society, as the bishops outlined them in their reports: "the persistence of widespread poverty, often extreme, and the spread of moral and ethical indifference, from which arise crime, corruption and attacks on the sanctity of human life itself." He stressed the need to give a strong formation to the faithful through catechesis, Bible study, devout prayer and "a clear exposition of doctrine as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church."
A laity that is strengthened in its Catholic identity, he observed, will be able to "respond to the challenge of playing an active role in public life, including the political sphere" and will also be "enabled to respond to the objections raised with increasing frequency by sects and new religious movements, of which there are many in your country." He urged them to pay special attention to the formation of children and young people.
Such preparation, the Pope added, will also strengthen the family, "threatened as it is in its fundamental aspects of unity and stability by practices such as polygamy, divorce, abortion and prostitution, by the spread of a contraceptive mentality and by irresponsible sexual activity that also increases the incidence of AIDS."
John Paul II then highlighted the bishops' "relationship with other Churches and Ecclesial Communities," and the need for "dialogue with the followers of African traditional religion and with Islam."
"Here I must also raise an important issue which I know is a source of grave concern to you and your people. There are certain parts of the country where proponents of Islam are acting with ever greater militancy, even to the point of imposing their understanding of Islamic law on entire States within the Nigerian Federation and denying other believers the freedom of religious expression. I strongly encourage and support your every effort to speak out courageously and forcefully in this regard: government leaders, both local and federal, as well as people of good will of all persuasions, must be reminded of the obligation of every government to ensure that the equality of all citizens before the law is never violated for religious reasons, whether openly or covertly."
Turning to another matter, the Pope encouraged the bishops "to ensure an ever more complete and permanent formation for your priests." Stressing that "the priesthood must never be seen as a means for improving one's lot in life or in terms of gaining prestige," he said: "Your lives and those of your priests should reflect an authentic evangelical poverty and detachment from the things and attitudes of the world, and the value of celibacy as a complete gift of self to the Lord and his Church must be carefully safeguarded. Behaviour which might give scandal must be carefully avoided, and you yourselves must diligently investigate accusations of any such behaviour, taking firm steps to correct it where it is found to exist. Here too, seminary formation is very important, for the convictions and practical training imparted to future priests are essential for the success of the Church's mission."
"Dear Brothers, Shepherds of God's Holy People," John Paul II concluded, "it is of the utmost importance that openness, honesty and transparency should always be the hallmark of everything that the Church does, in all her spiritual, educational and social undertakings, as well as in every aspect of her administration."
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