The national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Nigeria, Father Solomon Patrick Zaku, has urged Catholic missionaries to persevere in preaching the gospel despite growing security challenges and restrictions on the establishment of churches in some communities.
Father Zaku said insecurity had made missionary activities increasingly difficult, with evangelists facing the risk of attacks while travelling to communities or gathering for worship. He made the remarks in an interview with ACI Africa on October 13, on the sidelines of a media chat organised by the national office of the Pontifical Mission Societies ahead of the centenary celebration of World Mission Sunday.
“Even though we are facing challenges, those who want to go on a mission or those who want to preach the good news should not give up or be discouraged, but they should go,” he said.
According to Father Zaku, insecurity had become a major concern across Nigeria, forcing some missionaries to reconsider their movements because of fears of violence.
“In Nigeria today, we have the security challenge. Insecurity is almost in every part of this country,” he said.
He explained that missionaries travelling to preach the Gospel could face attacks on the road or at places of worship. The priest also raised concerns about restrictions preventing Christians from acquiring land or constructing churches in certain locations, leaving some communities without convenient places to worship.
“Church is supposed to be where people are living, but in many places, people don’t have a comfortable place to worship, and they have to go to a very far place,” he said. Despite these challenges, Zaku encouraged prospective missionaries not to allow fear of kidnappings, killings and other security threats to discourage them from fulfilling their religious calling.
Drawing on the Christian teaching that nothing can separate believers from the love of Christ, he reminded missionaries of the importance of remaining steadfast in their faith.
“Know that Jesus is with you,” he said, adding that those who die bearing witness to Christ would receive their reward.
Father Zaku also reflected on the centenary of World Mission Sunday, describing it as an opportunity to appreciate a century of prayer, financial contributions and practical assistance provided to missionary territories. He credited the support of the Pontifical Mission Societies with helping sustain the Catholic Church’s missionary activities and educational work in Nigeria.
According to him, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has directed that collections from World Mission Sunday be channeled to the Pontifical Mission Societies fund to support missionary territories beyond the country. “The Church in Nigeria, too, is not only a receiving Church but also a giving Church,” he said.
Father Zaku urged Catholics and Nigerians to support missionary activities through prayer, financial contributions and other forms of assistance.
“My message to all Catholics and Nigerians in particular as we celebrate World Mission Sunday is for them to know that you are not alone, but we are together on this mission. We are praying for you,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of Nigeria’s Young Missionary Movement, Peter Oluwasanmi Adubi, said the organisation was intensifying missionary formation and catechesis to help young people understand their responsibilities in spreading the Christian faith.
Adubi explained that Christian mission extended beyond attending church services, stressing that young people could bear witness to their faith through their daily conduct, prayers and actions.
“We try to intensify what we call the missionary communion, missionary catechesis, and all that, to make sure that they are not just young people like others; they are special people called to be missionaries through their life, through their actions, and through their prayer,” he said.
He also emphasised that people who could not travel to missionary destinations could contribute through financial support and other forms of assistance. “There is a saying that some give to the mission by going, while others go to the mission by giving. And without both, there is no mission,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the influence of social media and other distractions on young people’s commitment to their faith, Adubi urged the Church to listen to their concerns and provide opportunities for them to participate meaningfully in its activities.
He called for the establishment of media teams in parishes to enable young people to volunteer their skills and use digital technology to spread the Christian message.