By Fr. OKHUELEIGBE OSEMHANTIE Ã

Against the backdrop of national turmoil and economic hardship, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has declared a prophetic and urgent call to national renewal, issuing a clarion message of hope, justice, and transformative action. Meeting in Abuja from March 8–14, 2025, the bishops – spiritual custodians of a nation teetering on the brink of despair – unveiled their communiqué, titled, “The Jubilee Year of Hope: A Light for a New Nigeria”.

A searing indictment of the current state of affairs, the document is at once a theological manifesto and a socio-political roadmap, offering not only a diagnosis of Nigeria’s ills but also a prescription for national rebirth. With scriptural gravitas and scholarly precision, the bishops remind the nation that hope is not a mere abstraction but a force that must be deliberately cultivated through action, justice, and integrity.

Inspired by Pope Francis’ proclamation of the Jubilee Year of Hope (Spes Non Confundit), the bishops situate Nigeria’s struggle within a broader divine narrative. “Hope is born of love and based on the love springing from the pierced heart of Jesus upon the Cross,” the Holy Father wrote. The bishops echo this sentiment, declaring that despite Nigeria’s woes—corruption, insecurity, economic strangulation, and political disillusionment—hope remains an unshakable anchor.

Referencing Leviticus 25, which enshrines the Jubilee as a time of restoration, debt relief, and societal renewal, the bishops argue that Nigeria stands at a kairotic moment. The message is clear: just as ancient Israel was called to radical transformation in its Jubilee, so too must Nigeria undergo a moral and structural renaissance.

In a measured tone that acknowledges some progress, the bishops commend government efforts in revamping the petroleum industry, improving road networks, and introducing student loan schemes. They also recognize strides in agriculture and commend security operatives risking their lives to protect Nigerians.

However, these glimmers of hope are overshadowed by a sobering reality. The bishops decry the spiralling cost of living, rampant youth unemployment, and the epidemic of kidnappings and killings that have left swathes of the nation in mourning. “In spite of these challenges, hope does not disappoint,” they assert, urging Nigerians to resist the seduction of helplessness and cynicism.

The bishops call for a radical commitment to unity, urging political, religious, and traditional leaders to abandon divisive rhetoric and champion national cohesion. They condemn the closure of schools in certain regions, warning against policies that undermine the right to education and threaten the multi-religious fabric of Nigeria.

Revisiting the disillusionment of the 2023 General Elections, the bishops insist on electoral reforms. They challenge INEC, security agencies, and the judiciary to restore public trust by ensuring transparency and fairness. “Refuse to be cowed to silence,” they charge Nigerians, encouraging active civic participation.

The bishops demand a high-tech approach to national security, better remuneration for security personnel, and unwavering prosecution of criminals. They also call for aggressive investment in agriculture to combat food scarcity, urging the government to ensure the safety of farmers to prevent food crises from spiraling further.

In a dramatic plea, the bishops reiterate the Church’s opposition to capital punishment and urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant clemency to Mr. Sunday Jackson, whose death sentence was recently upheld by the Supreme Court. They frame this appeal as an act of mercy befitting the Jubilee of Hope.

Declaring that Nigerian prisons must embody true correction rather than punitive vengeance, the bishops demand:

- Respect for inmates’ fundamental rights.

- Swift justice to prevent prolonged incarceration.

- Parole for minor offenders to decongest prisons.

- Rehabilitation of existing facilities and construction of new correctional centres.

The bishops leave no room for neutrality. They call for a spiritual revolution—one that begins in the home, radiates through the Church, and permeates the corridors of government. They warn against empty religious posturing and urge faith communities to reject toxic competition for religious supremacy.

“The desire for a New Nigeria must commit to truth, justice, and love,” they insist. To achieve this, the nation must be led by individuals of high moral profile – leaders who prioritize honesty, transparency, and accountability, as enshrined in Ecclesia in Africa (no. 111).

The bishops challenge Nigeria’s media to resist the temptation of sensational negativity. “The media must not be obsessed with bad news at the expense of balanced reportage,” they caution, reminding journalists that they, too, are purveyors of hope.

At the same time, they warn the government against viewing the press as an adversary. “We enjoin the Government and security agencies to see the Media as partners in nation-building,” they emphasize, underscoring the indispensable role of the press in fostering democracy and accountability.

The communiqué also marks pivotal transitions within the Church. The bishops welcome the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev. Michael Francis Crotty, praying for his fruitful mission in Nigeria. They extend congratulations to Very Rev. Fr. Michael Leke Banjo, the new Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, and express gratitude to his predecessor, Very Rev. Fr. Zechariah Samjumi.

Amid these changes, the Church mourns the passing of Most Rev. Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, OP, Bishop Emeritus of Ilorin. In a solemn tribute, the bishops offer prayers for his eternal repose and extend condolences to the Dominican Friars and the Ilorin Diocese.

As Christians embark on the Lenten journey and Muslims observe Ramadan, the bishops frame this moment as a period of spiritual purification. They urge Nigerians to purge themselves of cynicism and embrace radical hope.

“We must start with a clear call for a radical change of attitudes and a veritable spiritual revolution,” they declare, summoning the nation to a renaissance of faith, morality, and civic responsibility.

In the final crescendo of their message, the bishops invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying that Nigeria may emerge renewed, purified, and victorious.

And with that, the clarion call is sounded. The challenge has been laid before the nation. The Jubilee Year of Hope beckons. The light must shine. Will Nigeria answer?