Catholic Pope Leo XIV Ends African Tour

 Bishop Doeme said that the Holy Father’s presence would encourage the faithful to remain committed to Christ and the Church, especially as Christianity continues to expand rapidly in Africa.

“The Church in Africa is growing, growing very, very fast. It is the fastest-growing Church on other continents in the world. So his visit will continue to strengthen and encourage us as a Church in this continent,” he said.

While celebrating the growth of Christianity in Africa, Bishop Doeme acknowledged that the continent continues to battle serious moral and social problems. He listed corruption, bribery, tribalism, religious extremism, terrorism, kidnappings, and violent conflicts as issues undermining progress.

He said many nations in Africa, including Nigeria, have been blessed with abundant human and natural resources, yet those blessings are often overshadowed by division and insecurity.

“We have been bedevilled by various biases, whether within the Church or in society,” he said and continued, “Such biases include corruption, bribery and corruption, tribalism, religious fundamentalism, terrorism, kidnappings of innocent citizens in this country, and some other parts of Africa.”

More in Africa

Describing the situation as painful, the Nigerian Catholic Church leader said communities are too often torn apart by violence and wars, making it difficult for people to live as one family.

“We are talking about a society that is torn by violence and wars. So, we are not staying together as a nation, as a Church, and as a community,” he said.

Bishop Doeme urged Christians not to lose hope but to return to the spiritual values represented by the Blessed Virgin Mary. He said the path to national and continental renewal lies in embracing humility, simplicity, kindness, and love.

Living An Humbly Life

“The important thing is to realize this as a Church and go back to our Mother Mary, who will teach us to live humbly, to live simply, to live lovingly, and to live kindly,” he said. According to him, if these virtues are embraced by individuals, families, and leaders, both the Church and society would witness greater peace and development.

“Once we can embrace these virtues, our Church will become great. Our continent will become great. And then God will be happy and will continue to bless us more,” Bishop Doeme said .

He explained that devotion to Mary should not merely be external but should produce virtues capable of transforming society, calling on all Marian societies to be united and pray for the country’s transformation. According to him, the Blessed Mother teaches humility, obedience, self-control, generosity, and mutual acceptance.

“As Marian societies, it is very important that the societies are united because we belong to the same Great Mother, the Spiritual Mother, Our Mother Mary, and if all the societies unite and pray together, our country will be transformed,” he said.

He continued: “What she wants from us is to display the spirit of humility, obedience, self-control, love, generosity, and acceptance of one another.”

The Nigerian Bishop said if Catholics truly imitate Mary’s virtues, divisions within the Church and wider society would gradually give way to peace and cooperation.

In another interview with ACI Africa during the same event, the CSN Secretary General, Fr. Michael Banjo, described the Blessed Virgin Mary as a powerful model of unity, humility, and prayer, saying her example remains relevant in today’s troubled world.

He recalled that after the Ascension of Jesus, the Apostles were fearful, uncertain, and not fully united, but Mary’s quiet presence helped gather them together in prayer.

“She did not impose herself. She did not seek power. She did not try to dominate others,” he said. “Through her peaceful presence, humility, and prayer, she helped gather them together. That is why I call her the Mother of Unity.”

“Our families, parishes, and communities need that Marian spirit today more than ever,” he added.

Speaking on Nigeria’s current difficulties, Fr. Banjo said the country faces corruption, insecurity, unemployment, injustice, and mistrust, but warned that the crisis is not only political or economic.

“Nigeria faces serious challenges, but we must understand something very important: the crisis is not only political or economic. It also has a spiritual dimension,”he said.

He noted that when moral values decline, greed and violence increase, stressing that the nation needs both good governance and spiritual renewal.

“Yes, we need accountability, economic opportunity, and security reforms. But we also need repentance, moral renewal, prayer, and a return to God,” he said.

He further challenged Catholics to become “missionaries of healing” by visiting the sick, supporting widows, helping displaced persons, and comforting grieving families.

“The Church must not remain only inside buildings. The Church must reach homes, hospitals, camps, schools, villages, and the streets,” he declared.

The Nigerian Catholic Official defended the power of prayer in times of violence and suffering, saying prayer is not an escape from responsibility but a source of strength for action.

“Prayer changes hearts, gives wisdom, heals wounds, and opens doors that human effort alone may not open,” he said.

He added that prayer must always go hand in hand with concrete action for justice, peace, and charity.

The Nigerian Priest also emphasized the importance of “active listening,” which he described as listening to God, the Church, the poor, and one another.

“Many conflicts continue because people speak without listening. Families break down because nobody listens. Communities divide because nobody listens,” he said.

Fr. Banjo urged Catholics in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond to remain faithful and reject division.

“My message is simple: remain united, remain prayerful, and remain faithful,” he said, and continued, Nigeria needs a united Church. Africa needs a courageous Church. The world needs a compassionate Church.”

Read More : Pope Leo XIV Urges Peace in First Easter Address

Africans Cerebrates Orthodox Epiphany Day