By Samson Adeyanju
The Director of Church and Society at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria and Executive Secretary of Caritas Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr Uche Obodoechina, has called on Catholics to leverage their influence and resources to foster socio-economic and political transformation in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Department of Church and Society’s 2024 Annual General Meeting in Abuja, themed “Promoting Catholic Social Teaching as a Vehicle for Socio-Economic and Political Reorientation in Nigeria,” Fr Obodoechina urged Catholics to step beyond traditional roles and actively engage in reshaping society.
“Our faith is not confined to church walls; it must transform the society we live in. With over 40 million Catholics, 6000 priests, and 87 bishops in Nigeria, we hold enormous potential to influence governance, policies, and societal change,” he stated.
He challenged Catholic leaders to use advocacy, influence, and soft diplomacy to inject the principles of Catholic Social Teaching into political and public sectors.
“We must evangelize parliaments, political parties, and leaders of thought to ensure policies reflect the common good,” he said.
Fr Obodoechina stressed that true transformation requires collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to the welfare of all, urging participants to take bold steps in their respective communities to move Nigeria forward.
