KUKAH CALLS FOR RENEWAL OF CATHOLIC VALUES IN NIGERIA

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has called on the Catholic Church in Nigeria to renew its values and strengthen its influence in public life.

Kukah made the call on Friday while delivering a lecture at St. Finbarr’s College Auditorium, Akoka, Lagos, during activities held to honour the late Rev. Fr. Denis Slattery. His lecture focused on the Catholic Church’s contribution to human development and the building of a good society in Nigeria.

The bishop said the influence of the Church in public life had weakened as some Catholics increasingly devoted more time and resources to social, political, ethnic and other associations than to their parishes.

He urged members of the Church to reflect on whether the values acquired through Catholic schools, hospitals and other institutions still influence their decisions at home, in their professions and in public life.

Kukah also highlighted the historical contributions of Catholic missionaries to education and healthcare in Nigeria. He said the missionaries established schools and health facilities as part of their efforts to improve human development.

According to him, Catholic institutions remain important avenues through which Nigerians encounter the Church, but their values must extend beyond the institutions themselves.

Kukah therefore challenged the Catholic community to focus not only on preserving its institutions but also on ensuring that the principles behind them continue to shape younger generations and contribute to a more responsible society.