Most Rev. David Ajang, Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese has urged Nigerians to see religion as a viable platform for driving socioeconomic development, rather than merely a channel for divine communication.
Bishop Ajang made the call on Thursday while leading hundreds of Catholic faithful on a pilgrimage to Alogani Hill in Nassarawa-Eggon Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State.
The pilgrimage was part of activities marking the Silver Jubilee of the Catholic Diocese of Lafia.
The clergy noted that adherence to all religions should shift from seeing religion as a private piety to using it to make a public impact.
Ajang explained that religion already has trust, networks, and reach that are needed for development hence the need for adherence of every religion to channel them into improving their lives in every sector of the economy and ensuring peaceful coexistence.
On the essence of the pilgrimage, Ajang said that Alogani Hill holds historic significance for the Diocese.
He said the church records show that Irish missionaries erected a Catholic church on the hill in 1938 in their bid to propagate the gospel and introduce Western education.
He said nearly nine decades later, their footprints remain visible despite the area being largely deserted.
He said that the church on Alogani Hill was instrumental to the spread of Catholicism in the northern zone of the state.
He added that the area was later linked t to Jos and Makurdi Dioceses that gave birth to the Lafia Diocese in 2001.
He noted that the catholic church designated the place as the Diocesan Pilgrimage Centre where members across the state and beyond could learn about the history of the church.
The Bishop also presided over spiritual exercises, which include; Stations of the Cross, Confession, and Holy Mass for penance and spiritual reawakening at the hill during the pilgrimage that lasts for more than five hours.
He also prayed for early missionaries who sacrificed luxury for evangelism and moved from hills to the valleys and also built schools, clinics, and communities to improve the lives of the people.
Some pilgrims who spoke with said the exercise deepened their faith and appreciation for the missionaries’ legacy.
General Manager of Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, Mrs Patricia Akawu, and the Diocesan Laity Council Chairman. Godwin Francis, commended the early missionaries for establishing the Alogani Church.
They noted that the church not only spread the gospel but also laid the foundation for Western education in the area.
They urged Catholics and Nigerians at large to sustain the legacies of service, education, and community development bequeathed by the missionaries. (NAN).
