Archbishop Kaigama of Abuja: “In Nigeria we suffer but we smile”.”

The Archbishop of Abuja (Nigeria), Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, was the protagonist of the Omnes Forum held on March 18 at CEU San Pablo. During the session, many people came to listen to the testimony of persecuted Christians in Nigeria, in this event organized together with Aid to the Church in Need and several promoters: the CARF Foundation, Banco Sabadell and the Catholic Association of Propagandists.

The journalist Raquel Martin moderated the dialogue with the Archbishop, who began by expressing his gratitude for the affection for Nigeria that he had felt during his visit to Spain, as well as for the work carried out by Aid to the Church in Need. That same affection, he explained, he felt in his recent audience with Pope Leo XIV, “who listened attentively to all the problems and fears expressed by the Nigerian bishops” “The Pope assured us of his prayers”, he continued, “and encouraged us to continue in the struggle”.

Persecuted Christians

Monsignor Kaigama mentioned from the outset the harsh persecution to which Christians are subjected in the country. “Just before I left, one of the priests in my diocese had to flee his home after an attack. Many parishes are left empty because the priests are threatened and cannot stay there, but at the same time at the doors of their houses there are bullet holes.”.

«The goal of the attackers is to weaken the Christian faith.».

The stories told by the archbishop were even personal, as he narrated that his nephew was kidnapped along with another fellow seminarian and were held for two weeks in the hands of the kidnappers, “handcuffed and chained in a bathroom”.

“People,” he continued, “are attacked and killed, for the sole reason that they are Christians. The aim of the attackers is to weaken the Christian faith”. Summing up the situation, Bishop Kaigama said: “Nigeria is suffering, Nigerians are suffering”.

The Catholic Church, as persecuted as the other Christian denominations, suffers a lot in this situation. “People come to us when they are in trouble, because of the negligence of the government people feel abandoned and when they need help they come to the Church,” the archbishop explained. For this reason, “I no longer feel I am just a pastor, praying and blessing, but also a humanitarian worker”.

That is why the work done by institutions such as Aid to the Church in Need is so important and the speaker sincerely thanked them for their work and dedication. “With your faith and our faith, with your help and our determination, we will win,” said the priest.

Faith and prayer

“Faith and prayer are very powerful instruments,” Monsignor Kaigama assured. “We Nigerians are known to be a people of great faith and I believe that the reason Nigeria has not disintegrated is precisely because of this faith,” he said.

In this sense, the bishop recalled the European missionaries who throughout history went to Nigeria to evangelize. “You have taught us to pray, to forgive, to love,” he said. Something key, since the difficult conditions of the country lead many Christians to have, as the only resource for forgiveness, faith in God. “Humanly it is not possible, but with faith everything is possible,” he explained.

“I no longer feel like just a pastor, praying and blessing, but also like a humanitarian worker.”.

“In Nigeria we suffer but we smile,» said the Archbishop. Something that is only achieved through authentic forgiveness that is realized supported by faith. “I pray that forgiveness in the world will increase and that God will grant us all the gift of forgiveness,” he continued.

Need for action

But there is not only prayer in Christian communities. The speaker affirmed that Christians pray, but they also act and constantly ask the government to intervene. “We believe that God can touch the hearts of these people to move them to do the right thing,” he said.

He also sent a message to politicians around the world, saying that “we hope that other countries will also come, act and do something useful to end the root of this evil”. In this regard, he highlighted the crucial role of the media in showing what is happening and making a real impact.

The intercession of the Virgin Mary

In conclusion, Archbishop Kaigama highlighted the love that Nigerians feel for the Virgin Mary, to whom they always turn for help. “I always encourage the faithful to carry a Rosary with them, in their pocket, in their purse or wherever. Personally, so as never to forget to pray to Our Lady, I carry a Rosary in each pocket every day,” he said.

“The Virgin Mary is a pillar for us,” the speaker explained, “and we trust that she presents all our needs to the Blessed Trinity and that, by God's grace, we will overcome difficulties.”.

Joint prayer and blessing

At the end of the dialogue, José María Gallardo, president of Aid to the Church in Need in Spain, presented the campaign “....“Sana Nigeria: let persecution not have the last word”. Monsignor Kaigama then led a moment of prayer with those present and imparted his blessing.