…I Forgive Social Media Critics
By Samson Adeyanju
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has debunked social media claims suggesting that his visits to the Presidential Villa amount to political compromise, insisting that engaging with the President does not diminish his long-standing commitment to justice and the defence of human life.
Speaking during his homily at the inaugural Mass for the 2025/2026 Legal Year of Catholic lawyers at the Church of the Assumption, Asokoro, on the First Sunday of Advent, Archbishop Kaigama said those accusing him of supporting the government despite rising insecurity “do not know my history or what I stand for.”
He explained that his meetings with President Bola Tinubu were strictly to discuss issues affecting residents of the Federal Capital Territory and other Nigerians, noting that his conscience and priestly vocation would never allow him to ignore injustice.
He recalled 44 years of ministry spent defending the oppressed, speaking against killings, and promoting human dignity, including his leadership of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and the West African Catholic Bishops, as well as his 2019 address at the United Nations on religious freedom.
Kaigama said he held no resentment toward his critics, adding, “Since Advent is a time for forgiveness, I forgive those who have hastily condemned me.”
He cautioned, however, that defamation has legal consequences and urged social media users to avoid reckless, uninformed commentary.
Addressing the lawyers, he reminded them that their vocation demands integrity, fairness, and service to the common good, warning against corruption, intimidation, and the manipulation of justice.
He urged them to be “instruments of light” in a nation yearning for true justice.
Kaigama also used the Advent message to call for spiritual vigilance, renewal, and active commitment to building a better society.
He prayed for a peaceful Christmas season free from the recurring violent attacks on worshippers.
“Life is sacred. No one should kill or degrade life for whatsoever reason,” he said, urging Nigerians to resist despair and remain steadfast in doing good.
