CATHAN urges social doctrine revival to tackle Nigeria’s inequality crisis

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria has called for renewed commitment to Catholic social teachings as a pathway to addressing Nigeria’s deepening social and economic challenges.

This formed the highlight of its 40th annual conference held from April 7 to 10 at the Sacred Heart Pastoral and Retreat Centre.

The conference, themed “Rediscovering Catholic Social Doctrine for Social Transformation,” drew clerics, scholars and lay faithful from across the country to reflect on the Church’s role in nation-building.

The event began with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Orlu, Augustine Ukwuoma, setting the tone for days of theological reflection and national discourse.

In his keynote address, the Archbishop of Owerri, Lucious Iwejuru Ugorji, warned that the Church must not remain silent in the face of hardship confronting Nigerians.

“The Church in Nigeria cannot and must not remain indifferent to our social question or turn her back to the plight of our people,” he said.

Ugorji stressed that the suffering of the poor and marginalised must remain central to the mission of the Church, echoing the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.

Other prominent clerics at the conference included Anthony Obinna and Augustine Echema, whose contributions enriched deliberations.

In his presidential address, CATHAN President, Idara Otu, said the association remained committed to promoting a theology that speaks directly to Nigeria’s realities.

Quoting the association’s pioneer vision, he noted the need to move “from passive consumption to creative and contextually grounded production” that impacts both Church and society.

Papers presented by Michael Banjo and programme Director at Yaiga Africa,Cynthia Mbamalu highlighted the role of Church institutions and civic engagement in driving social change.

Participants, drawn from various ecclesiastical and academic institutions, examined Catholic Social Teaching across multiple disciplines, including Scripture, Christology and Mariology.

The association, in a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, lamented Nigeria’s paradox of abundant resources amid widespread poverty, inequality and injustice.

It noted that the situation raises “fundamental moral and theological questions concerning stewardship, distributive justice, and the ethical legitimacy of socio-political structures.”

CATHAN, therefore, urged the government to prioritise the protection of lives and human dignity, insisting that meaningful development can only be achieved through justice-driven policies.

“We are hopeful that social transformation and integral development of Nigeria can be achieved through the appropriation of Catholic Social Doctrine,” the communiqué added.