Catholic Bishop Advocates for Developmental Achievements During Lenten Period
By Emmanuel Awari-JalingoÂ
The Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Charles Hammawa, has emphasized the importance of achieving developmental goals during the Lenten period.
Speaking during the Lenten Campaign Flag-Off at the St. Charles Boromeo Pastoral Center Mile Six Jalingo, Bishop Hammawa highlighted the role of the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) in promoting human growth and development.
“The Justice Development and Peace Commission JDPC is a Commission set up to work for and promote key vital issues, concerns and needs of humanity,” Bishop Hammawa explained.
“It is not peculiar to Jalingo Diocese, but Catholic Church’s response to integral human growth of which spiritual life is not averse to.”
Bishop Hammawa noted that the JDPC focuses on various issues, including good governance, justice, peace, human dignity, care for the poor and vulnerable, and care for the earth. He emphasized that the Commission works with people of different religious beliefs to achieve its goals.
The Bishop also highlighted the importance of local support for the JDPC’s activities. “The Lenten boxes, collections at the liturgy of the stations of the cross have been the traditional forms of raising the local support,” he said. “We want to see more done, though it is not always possible to meet all demands 100%.”
In his remarks, the Coordinator of JDPC Jalingo Diocese, Rev. Fr. Clement Tiba, described the Lenten Campaign as a major activity aimed at sustaining the Commission’s activities. “Many people home and abroad have sacrificed their resources in advancing Lent and humanitarian works in Nigeria,” Fr. Tiba said.
“However, such aid or assistance no longer comes, because Nigeria has attained the age of looking inward to develop itself, attaining self-sufficiency.”
Fr. Tiba emphasized the need for Nigerians to look inward and engage in humanitarian and development works. “The Church calls for the practice of Lent (Charity) preferential treatment for the poor as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.