Over 3,000 Catholics Across Africa Arrive Abuja for Conference

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

As part of activities for the 5th pan-African Conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal holding in Abuja, about 3,000 Catholics from 13 countries have arrived Abuja

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, on the aim of the conference, Chairman of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria, who is also the chief host of the continental event, Mr. Uche Manu, said over 3,000 delegates would be in Nigeria for the week-long event taking place in Abuja.

He said delegates would be coming from Ghana, Cameroum, Togo, Uganda, Congo, Malawi, South Africa, Sychelles ,Losetho, Benin Republic, Central Africa Republic and Garbon.

On what the conference seeks to achieve, Manu said the prayers to be offered at the event would bring healing to the sick and restore peace in places of conflict in Nigeria and Africa.

Manu also said the conference would be rounded off with an open air mass celebration at the Pope John Paul Prayer Ground along Kubwa Express Way in Abuja.

Amidst concerns over the growing insecurity, conflict and  economic challenges facing African countries, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal group said only upright leaders that are sensitive to the plight of the masses would be able to bail the continent out of the predicament.

While speaking at event, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sami, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, said the church would use the opportunity to call upon God to raise up good leaders that are sensitive to the plight of the masses, “leaders that have fear of God and who will put the interest of the people first.”

He also said the conference, “is the coming together of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Africa to foster unity and peace.”

Sami added: “This conference is an opportunity for us not only to pray for Africa but to pray for the leaders that govern Africa. If you look at the current situation in Nigeria and Niger, the two nations are facing so many crisis and we believe that we cannot resolve these crises by only human effort.

“Our leaders need prayers because any single decision they take that is not good will affect the continent and the people they govern.

“It is an opportunity for us to call upon God to raise up good leaders that are sensitive to the plight of the masses, leaders that have fear of God and who will put the interest of the people first.”

According to the Clergy, “the Catholic church is confident that if God fearing leaders can emerge, the continent will witness unprecedented development and poverty reduction across the land.”

Speaking on the security crisis posed by the recent coup in Niger Republic, the priest said that the leaders would need divine wisdom to handle the matter.

According to him the issue needs to be handled with a lot of wisdom and tact.

He suggested the use of diplomacy as opposed to force of arms in resolving the conflict.

“Peace is very critical to achieving economic progress and development. Through the conference, we want to hand over Africa to Jesus who is the Prince of peace so that peace can reign and development can take place and poverty reduced.

Sami said the main trust of the conference was for the children of God to pray for peace, security and development in the African continent.

Coordinator of Charis Continental Service of Communion, Dr. Fankep Alphonse, explained that the role of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal was to help in engendering unity, peace and development in countries of Africa.

He added that the group was concerned about anything that threatens the unity and peace in the society.