The Catholic Church in Nigeria has called on its members to serve as harbingers of hope and agents of integral development in the country.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Church and Society Department of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, Rev Fr. Peter Audu emphasised the need for the Church to lead in promoting Catholic Social Teaching (CST).

He highlighted that CST should serve as a framework for guiding Nigeria’s national development, providing principles for justice, human dignity, and social progress.

The theme of the meeting was “Harbingers of Hope: Mainstreaming Catholic Social Teaching for Development in Nigeria.”

Audu noted that the Church was called to be a credible witness of hope, a defender of human dignity, and an agent of integral development, particularly in a time of economic hardship, insecurity, and social instability.

He highlighted the importance of inter-unit collaboration, urging the various units of the Church and Society Department to work together to address Nigeria’s complex social challenges.

The priest also stressed the need for the church to form consciences, promote justice, and insist on good governance, especially in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

He called on the church to support people displaced by conflict, poverty, and natural disasters, empowering them to regain their dignity and self-sufficiency.

He also called on the church to promote peace, justice, and development in Nigeria, working towards a more equitable and just society.

Speaking in a keynote address delivered by Fr. Evaristus Bassey on behalf of Most Rev. Christopher Naseri, the importance of mainstreaming Catholic Social Teaching (CST) in Nigeria’s development agenda was highlighted.

Naseri noted that the country’s current state of development was marked by poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation, and that leaders often lack the will to implement policies that serve the common good.

He said that the church must act as a prophetic voice, advocating for justice, peace, and development.

The priest outlined the key principles of CST, including the dignity of the human person, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity, emphasising that these principles should guide the church’s development efforts.

Naseri further called for the church to actively engage in advocacy and policy-making, using CST principles to guide its actions.

He suggested collaboration with the government and other stakeholders to promote sustainable development and tackle Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

While emphasising the importance of integrity and accountability in the Church’s development work, he urged church actors to remain mindful of their role as stewards of God’s resources.