Caritas Africa Regional Commission Meeting: Enhancing Aid and Support Strategies
Delegates from member countries in the Caritas Africa network are currently in Abuja, Nigeria, for the Caritas Africa Regional Commission meeting hosted by Caritas Nigeria. Presided over by the President of Caritas Africa, Msgr. Pierre Cibambo Ntakobajira, the meeting serves as a platform for the formal handover to the new executives of Caritas Africa now coordinated by Lucy Esipila. Members will also share best practices and strategies for delivering aid and support to those in need in Africa.
Advancing Equity & Transparency in External Fund Utilization: Caritas Nigeria Roundtable Discussion
On the 15th of September, Caritas Nigeria, through the support of Caritas Africa, convened a one-day roundtable discussion in Lagos State, focusing on “Transparency in the Utilization of Externally Borrowed Funds & Equity in the Allocation of Special Drawing Rights.” The event brought together key stakeholders, including faith-based organizations and other non-state actors, to collectively address and advocate for a more equitable distribution and responsible utilization of externally borrowed funds within the state. The roundtable discussion aimed to fortify advocacy efforts to ensure that funds borrowed from external sources are allocated and utilized in a manner that promotes fairness and transparency across the state. By involving faith-based and non-state actors, Caritas Nigeria seeks to foster a collaborative approach toward achieving greater accountability and equity in the management funds.
Key Highlights from the Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria 2023
The Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja is the host for the second 2023 Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria Which will last from 10-15 September 2023 with daily activities scheduled to begin with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Mass with Lauds, followed by the Bishops’ session for the slated days. The assembly began on the 10th of September with a meeting of the Bishops with major superiors of religious congregations in Nigeria, as well as with several Catholics of the Abuja province followed by the opening Holy Mass celebrated by the CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja. Similarly, the official opening ceremony of the assembly was held at the same venue with all the Nigerian Bishops and Diocesan Administrators with the enthronement of the Holy Bible which was followed by an opening address from the chairman and a welcome address by the CBCN president. The leaders of various Christian Churches in Nigeria, including the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, Prelate of the Methodist Church, Dr. Oliver Aba, as well as some government officials, convened several messages of goodwill. Various ecclesiastical provinces, CBCN units, and the departments of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria gave reports to the assembly about their recent activities. The Executive Secretary/CEO of Caritas Nigeria, Uchechukwu Fr. Obodoechina, Ph.D., also presented the organization’s progress report at the plenary. The closing mass of the Second CBCN Plenary Meeting 2023 took place at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral Abuja.
Call for Entries: Climate-Smart Youth Essay Contest on Laudato Si and Environmental Management
Ahead of the Caritas Nigeria Day international conference on ‘Mainstreaming Climate-smart Principles and Practices amongst Faith-based Communities in Nigeria’, we are pleased to invite young Nigerians passionate about climate change to demonstrate how well they know about Pope Francis’ Laudato Si and environmental management. Submission of essays ends on 15 September 2023.