Mandate
The Department of Mission and Dialogue oversees the Church’s missionary initiatives, ecumenical engagement, and inter-religious dialogue. Its mission is to promote peaceful coexistence, unity, and the missionary mandate of the Catholic Church across Nigeria’s diverse faith landscape.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinating national missionary activities and supporting diocesan mission programmes.
- Engaging in ecumenical dialogue to foster Christian unity.
- Promoting inter-religious dialogue to advance peaceful relations with other faith communities.
- Representing the Nigerian Church in global missionary networks and international ecclesial forums.
- Providing mission formation and training for clergy, religious, and lay faithful.
Units Under the Department of Missions & Dialogue
A. Interreligious Dialogue Unit
This unit fosters peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding, and collaborative engagement among religious communities. Its core functions include:
- Facilitating structured dialogue with Islamic, traditional, and other religious communities.
- Coordinating the Church’s participation in interfaith councils, peace platforms, and collaborative projects.
- Developing pastoral strategies for harmony in communities affected by religious tension.
- Training clergy, religious, and lay leaders in interfaith relations and conflict sensitivity.
- Offering guidance to dioceses on interfaith challenges and opportunities.
- Supporting joint social and humanitarian projects across faith lines.
Through this unit, the Church serves as a proactive agent of peace, dialogue, and national cohesion, promoting mutual respect and understanding in Nigeria’s pluralistic society.
The Departments of Church and Society and Mission and Dialogue exemplify the Catholic Church’s commitment to faithful engagement with society and other faith communities. By promoting social justice, integral human development, missionary outreach, and dialogue, these departments ensure the Church remains a credible, compassionate, and transformative presence in Nigeria, embodying Gospel values in action.
60th Anniversary
