Workshop highlights collaboration among religious in Nigeria

Active collaboration among consecrated persons, that is, societies of Apostolic life, priests and other Catholic groups has been described as a necessary tool for the realisation of the evangelization mission of the Church in Nigeria. This recommendation is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 2015 National Seminaries Committee Workshop that was held recently at the Pope John Paul II Major Seminary, Okpuno, Awka, Anambra State in Nigeria.

The theme of the workshop was “The Consecrated Life in the Mission of the Church.”  This workshop was attended by rectors and other staff members of seminaries from different parts of the country.  The workshop was part of the activities marking the ‘Year of Consecrated Life’ that was declared by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The communiqué is jointly signed by Most Rev. Michael Apochi, Bishop of Otukpo and Rev. Fr. Paul Oredipe. Bishop Apochi is the seminaries committee chair at the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

According to the participants of the workshop, “There is need for deeper attentiveness, ongoing training and consistent practice of active collaboration in the Church, especially between dioceses and institutes of consecrated life and societies of Apostolic life.”  The participants described this relationship as a call to true mutual exchange of resources within the Church leading to spiritual communion. The communique encourages regular sharing of experiences and reflections among consecrated persons.

The participants also noted the importance for those in formation to continue to deepen their knowledge about the history and theology of consecrated life.   “Collaborative ministry and the distinctive role of consecrated persons can no longer be optional to foster growth and strengthen the mission of the Church,” adding that “Consecrated Life is a gift for the Church and radical evangelical living is not only for the religious but a demand for everyone else,” the communique emphasised.   

(Catholic News Service of Nigeria)

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