Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja is underlining the power of
prayer, affirming that his country would not have survived without God.
The
prelate stated this at the opening Mass for a recent national prayer
rally for Nigeria organized in Abuja by the National Council of Catholic
Women Organization (NCCWO), reports the Catholic News Service of
Nigeria.
"See how the almighty hand of God is holding this nation
in a very precarious equilibrium despite all our people are doing to
destroy this nation," the archbishop said in his homily.
He noted
"all the tricks to subvert the common good, to disrupt the political
development of our country, massive corruption and stealing," and "all
the anger that has been generated in all our young people who are out
there very frustrated and unemployed."
"There is a limit to how
much disorder the human community can sustain and we have to do all we
can, so that we don't reach that limit," Archbishop Onaiyekan said.
He
added, "That is the duty of everyone and this is the greatest reason
why we must pray, pray to God to sustain our land and empower us to do
the right thing."
"Those who have power in their hands can do
wonderful things and put themselves in the hands of God to do good to
humanity," the prelate affirmed, "and when they reach the gate of
heaven, they will be welcomed."
He added, "Where power is used for
the benefit of the people, the people are happy while where power is
badly used, there is misery."
The archbishop made a special appeal for prayer faced to the country's upcoming political elections.
He affirmed, "As Christians, God listens to us and has time for each one of us."
Coming events
The
Catholic News Service of Nigeria also noted that the Church in the
country is preparing to celebrate two congresses next year, one
Eucharistic and the other pastoral.
Bishop of Hilary Okeke Nnewi,
who inaugurated the planning committee for these congresses, underlined
the importance of these congresses for the Church in that country.
The
2012 Eucharistic Congress is the second in Nigeria; the first took
place in 2002.
The Pastoral Congress is the fourth in that country.