Catholic Bishops Seek National Unity Amid Challenges

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has felicitated with the Muslim faithful as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, praising the discipline of the holy month of Ramadan.

The bishops urged Nigerians to leverage the “providential convergence” of the two faiths’ fasting seasons to heal a nation grappling with insecurity, economic hardship, and division.

In a statement signed by the president of the CBCN, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Kaduna, the bishops described the coincidence of Ramadan and Lent, both beginning on the same day this year, as a divine sign calling for deeper solidarity.

“This providential convergence highlights our shared commitment to sacrifice, prayer, and reliance on God, and reminds us that we are bound together in a common pursuit of peace and righteousness,” the statement said.

Ndagoso extended warm greetings to Muslims across the country, noting that the completion of the sacred month of Ramadan offers a compelling witness to faith, self-restraint, and devotion to God.

“Your discipline in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving stands as a compelling witness to faith, self-restraint, and devotion to God, offering a timely and much-needed example in a world often marked by excess, distraction, and division,” he said.

The bishops used the occasion to address the pressing realities facing Nigeria, calling for a move beyond mere coexistence toward active collaboration between Christians and Muslims.