Nigeria’s Catholic Diocesan Priests' Association (NCDPA) has charged Nigerians to embrace prudence, modesty in living and accountability as steps toward making the best of the current economic recession in the country.
The priests also advised the lay faithful and all Nigerians not to despair in the face of the current recession facing the country and suggested steps to weather the storm.
The NCDPA, at the end of its 30th annual general meeting (AGM), held at the Pope John Paul II Pastoral Centre in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, said "the Church should restore confidence and hope to her faithful and citizens."
In a communiqué signed by its National President, Very Reverend Father Sylvester Onmoke, and Secretary, Rev Fr Francis Ikhianosime, the NCDPA said: "Using her intellectual and human resources, the Church should constructively and truthfully engage the government in fostering good leadership, human development and progress."
The priests said: "In the face of the present economic predicament, priests, other pastoral agents and indeed the lay faithful should embrace prudence, modesty in living and accountability and not giving any indication of being ostentatious.
"The Church being a Mother and teacher cannot close her eyes to the difficulties of her children. It is her great concern that her children are spiritually, socially and economically stable. This fact is corroborated by her Social Teachings.
"This period of economic recession should be seen as an opportunity for continued witnessing. Hence, the Church must remain a beacon of hope for the Catholic faithful and indeed the whole citizens in the midst of the troubling economic waters. The Church must not demonstrate fear or despair in the face of this recession."
They congratulated the Dioceses of Osogbo, Ogoja, Shendam and Bauchi on the appointment of their new bishops, Most Rev. John Akin Oyejola; Monsignor Donatus Edet Akpan; Most Rev. Philip Davou Dung and Monsignor Hilary Dachelem, C.M.F respectively.
On the issue of Ahiara Diocese, the NCDPA said: "We renew our words of prayer for the Church in Nigeria particularly Ahiara Diocese which in the words of Pope Francis, “has been without the bridegroom, has lost her fertility and cannot bear fruits”.
"During this challenging time, we call on all priests of the diocese to give a chance to the Holy Spirit; which is the spirit of obedience and allow “the peace of God reign in their hearts and in their palaces peace.”
The AGM which held from 13-16th June, 2017 had over 100 priests from different ecclesiastical districts in Nigeria for the gathering tagged: "The Role of the Church in a Recessed Economy."


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