John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja Catholic
Archdiocese, has said that silence in the face of social injustice is
a crime against the gospel of Christ and the nation.
He stated this in Abuja at the inauguration of the Catholic Social
Teaching (CST) programme for Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) and
agencies of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also witnessed
the graduation ceremony of the trainers of the CST programme.
Onaiyekan said that the Church must inculcate communication on justice
and peace beyond evangelism, all encapsulated in its social teachings.
He said the belief was the reason why the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria
continually urged the government to fulfil its responsibilities and
address the people’s needs.
He explained that CST provided a moral compass for living,
functioning, and flourishing in society, making it central to
evangelisation.
The Cardinal congratulated the graduates, urged them to view CST as
essential for service, and challenged them to deploy their knowledge
to spread the gospel.
According to the Cardinal, the CST is meant to empower priests and
laypeople to know their rights and speak against societal injustices.
Speaking, Rev. Fr. Uche Obodoechina, the Director of the Department of
Church and Society, said the programme was designed to equip the staff
of the Bishops’ agencies with comprehensive knowledge of CST.
“This initiative has been made possible by the wisdom of the Bishops
Conference, ensuring that the teaching and learning of CST by the
staff of the bishops’ agencies takes place at the secretariat.
“The next stage is to take action. We will divide the staff into
various classes and assign them to teachers.
Over the next two weeks, we will conduct the programmes every Friday
until they graduate,” he said.
Obodoechina, the executive secretary of the Catholic Caritas
Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN), also emphasised the significance of
social teachings.
He reiterated the commitment to continue the CST education programme,
fostering a deeper understanding of social justice and the Church’s
role in society.
“We are creating a ripple effect of knowledge and awareness that will
extend far beyond the secretariat, impacting communities and society
at large,” he added.
In his keynote address, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, the Vice Chancellor of
Veritas University, Bwari, Abuja, emphasised that everyone, regardless
of status, has something to contribute to society.
He noted that CST, a hidden treasure of the Church, will address
various social concerns, including politics, healthcare, climate
change, education, and social inequalities.
Ichoku expressed satisfaction with Veritas University’s collaboration
with CRS and CBCN to spread the message.
In a valedictory speech, Mr Joe Nkamuke, who spoke on behalf of the
graduands, assured of their commitment to spreading the CST knowledge
they have gained.
“We promise to open the Pandora’s box for others to see,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the programme’s organisers and reaffirmed
their dedication to promoting CST principles in society. (NAN)
