Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Fides News Agency) – "May God's benevolence toward Abraham inspire our communities to live together in these difficult times,” the Nigerian Bishops’ Conference (CBCN) wrote in a message to the country’s Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, the festival commemorating the Prophet Abraham’s obedience to God.
“The benevolence of God, recalled in this celebration, invites Muslims, Christians, and indeed all Nigerians to reflect on the restoration Abraham received when his son was spared and returned to him,” the Nigerian bishops emphasized. “For this same benevolence, we are all called to give thanks to God, who has kept us despite the dark clouds of uncertainty and the difficult circumstances of this moment in our nation's history,” the message continued.
The CBCN calls on Nigerians to follow this example and thus contribute to the growth of our communities. Addressing the leaders of Islamic communities, the Catholic bishops declared: “Together as leaders, we can make this call for more kind gestures in service of the common good. This is a call to move away from self-serving policies and programmes” in order to “move towards selfless service to our people today burdened by the consequences of years-long ineffectiveness.” The Diocese of Oyo in southwestern Nigeria published a message signed by Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo and Father Joseph Ogundipe, head of the diocese’s Office for Interreligious Dialogue, in which they expressed their hope that the celebration would provide an opportunity to deepen the dialogue between Christians and Muslims. In light of the wave of kidnappings, the message called on Christians and Muslims to unite in the fight against “all these forms of evil that threaten our identities and collective efforts together as believers in One God.” (L.M.) (Fides News Agency, 28/5/2026)
