By Samson Adeyanju
The Catholic faithful have been urged to move beyond merely defending the Church to actively winning and retaining souls, as many members continue to drift to other denominations due to social and economic pressures.
Chief Sir Obiora Okonkwo made this observation while representing the Chairman of the flag-off ceremony of the 2026 Laity Week celebrations organised by the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Okonkwo said while groups such as the Knights of St. John International have long been known as “soldiers of Christ” defending the Church, the present challenge requires a shift in focus toward evangelisation and retaining members.
He lamented that despite the efforts of the Knights and other lay organisations, many Catholics are leaving the Church for Pentecostal congregations where they believe their material and social needs are better addressed.
According to him, “Being soldiers of Christ today should not just be about defending the Church. It should also be about bringing people into the Church and keeping them there. Unfortunately, many who were once converted into the Catholic faith are now leaving.”
Okonkwo linked the trend to the harsh economic realities facing many Nigerians, noting that clergy increasingly encounter people seeking financial assistance rather than spiritual guidance.
He recalled that in earlier times, parishioners visiting priests often brought gifts such as eggs, plantain and other farm produce, but today many arrive seeking help.
“In many parishes today, when people line up for the priest’s office hour, they come not with gifts but with requests for assistance. This reflects the economic situation in the country and makes pastoral work more difficult for the clergy,” he said.
