Church must not ignore Nigerians’ plight – Ugorji
The Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has said the Church “cannot and must not remain indifferent” to the suffering of Nigerians, especially the poor and marginalised. Ugorji spoke at the 40th annual conference of the Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria (CATHAN), held from April 7 to 10, […]
The Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese of the Catholic Church, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has said the Church “cannot and must not remain indifferent” to the suffering of Nigerians, especially the poor and marginalised.
Ugorji spoke at the 40th annual conference of the Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria (CATHAN), held from April 7 to 10, 2026, in Orlu, Imo State.
“The Church in Nigeria cannot and must not remain indifferent to our social question or turn her back to the plight of our people,” he said.
The conference, themed “Rediscovering Catholic Social Doctrine for Social Transformation,” brought together theologians, clergy, and lay faithful across the country.
- Alleged Terrorism: Court fixes May 26 for DSS to open case against Malami, Son
- Nigeria’s Public Debt Rose by N14.61tn in 2025 – DMO
In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, participants described Nigeria as “richly endowed” but “marked by pervasive poverty, inequality and injustice.”
The association said the situation “raises fundamental moral and theological questions concerning stewardship, distributive justice, and the ethical legitimacy of socio-political structures.”
CATHAN called on government to ensure the safety of citizens, stressing that human dignity remains central to Catholic Social Teaching.
“We are hopeful that social transformation and integral development of Nigeria can be achieved,” the communiqué stated.
Earlier, the Catholic Bishop of Orlu, Most Rev. Augustine Ukwuoma, presided over the opening Mass, while the Archbishop Emeritus of Owerri, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, and the Bishop of Aba, Most Rev. Augustine Echema, also attended.
In his address, CATHAN president, Rev. Fr. Dr. Idara Otu, said the association remains committed to producing theology that speaks to Nigeria’s realities.