SW News: The Archbishop of Benin City in Nigeria on Wednesday exhorted the faithful to actively participate in politics.

Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze in his welcome address at the Eucharistic celebration to mark the opening of the National Pastoral Congress expressed his hope that the Congress might inspire the government to hear the plight of the people.

“I hope and pray that one of the fruits of this Congress will be the active participation of our faithful in civil politics,” Archbishop Akubeze said during the ceremony that was held at St. Paul Catholic Church in Benin city.

“We pray at this Eucharistic celebration for a Nigerian Government at all levels, that will listen to the cries of her citizens; a government that will listen to the pains and plights of the people, and come to the help of the many victims of terrorism, flood, and poverty,” the archbishop added.

Foreseeing the general elections on 25th February 2023, the archbishop urged the religious group to critically follow what promises the political leaders are making.

“Let us match their words with their past actions and make informed decisions with our voter’s card that will lead to a leader who considers every Nigerian as his brother and sister; a leader who has the capacity and willpower to take us out of poverty and lead us to prosperity,” he said at the 3rd National Pastoral Congress.

Catholic Church leaders in Nigeria, including John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke and the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, took part in the Pastoral Congresses that was organized under the theme, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission”.

He concluded by stressing the importance of having a “Eucharistic church”, only then communion would be established in the country and could “fully embrace the mission of Christ.”