By Fr Leonard Ehiemere
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has mandated the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) to mobilise Catholic faithful for active and responsible participation in the 2027 general elections.
The Director of the Pastoral Agents Department of the Catholic Secretariat, Rev. Fr. Okochi, disclosed this while welcoming participants to the joint celebration of the 9th Biennial Convention of the Catholic Social Forum of Nigeria (CSFN) and the 52nd Annual General Meeting of the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) in Abuja.
The gathering, holding from November 5 to 7, 2026, at the Catholic Secretariat in Durumi, Abuja, was organised following a directive issued by the CBCN at its 2025 Plenary Assembly.
Fr. Okochi explained that the directive informed the decision to relocate the Catholic Social Forum’s meeting from Owerri to Abuja to strengthen collaboration between the Secretariat and the Catholic Laity Council in implementing the bishops’ mandate.
He described the laity as central to the Church’s mission, noting that their influence must extend beyond religious activities into the social, political and economic affairs of the country.
“The Laity remains the robust pulse of the Church’s earthly mission, bearing the light of the Gospel into the very heart of our society,” he said.
He stressed the need for Catholics to demonstrate their Christian values through meaningful engagement in public life, urging them to remain committed to being the “salt of the earth and the light of the world.”
The priest also called for unity, mutual respect and openness to the Holy Spirit throughout the deliberations, expressing hope that the outcome of the convention would contribute to national development and strengthen the Church.
“We pray that the resolutions reached herein will not only strengthen the fabric of our beloved nation but also deepen the unity and communion of our Holy Mother Church,” he said.
The convention is chaired by former Plateau State Governor, Dist. Sen. Simon Lalong, with Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji as co-chairperson. Prof. Obiora Okonkwo is the keynote speaker.
Other notable participants include the National President of the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Sir Ambrose Obioha; National Coordinator of the Catholic Social Forum of Nigeria, Dr. Ukwueze Emmanuel; and the National Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Ifediba.
Declaring the 2026 Catholic Social Forum open on behalf of the CBCN Bishop Chairman for Laity, Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, Fr. Okochi wished participants fruitful deliberations.
