Catholic heads in Nigeria have declared that the poverty, hunger, and insecurity, amongst others bedevilling the country, are self-inflicted due to corruption by both the leaders and the citizens. 

This was stated in a communiqué jointly issued by the CBCN president and Archbishop of Owerri, Lucius Ugorji, and the CBCN secretary and Bishop of Uromi, Donatus Ogun, on Thursday.

The communiqué was issued at the end of the second plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), which was held from August 22 to 30, 2024, in Auchi Diocese, Edo state, at the Nezer Towers and Suites, Afowa/Afasho-Uzairue. 

“Our nation is in a bad shape, as there is a deep sense of despair. We must accept, however, that it is largely self-inflicted, especially through corruption in all its ramifications, from the head to the entire body of the nation,” the Catholic Church stated. 

The church urged Nigerians to take responsibility for what has befallen the country, “from the highest levels of government to all the citizenry, with special responsibility to those who are in government to manage the affairs of our nation; and from all successive governments, past and present, but especially the present government who have asked for our votes to put things right.” 

The bishops, who said they arrived at the conclusion after prayerfully reflecting on issues affecting the church and the country, therefore called for a national re-orientation devoid of lies and dishonesty to truth and integrity. 

Stressing the need for prayers, the Catholic leaders, however, pointed out that “no meaningful action would take place without repentance.”

“We need to repent of all our wrongdoings, as individuals and as communities, as leaders and as followers, as Church and as a Nation,” the bishops said.