The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged the federal government to resolve the rising food prices and hardship in the country.
In a communique issued at the end of a week-long second Plenary Meeting of the CBCN held in Auchi Diocese, Edo, the clerics urged the federal government to support farmers with subsidies, soft loans, modern technology and improved seedlings.
The bishops said such measures should also involve supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
They said Nigerians were currently groaning under the “yoke of hardship” which is fuelled by high electricity tariffs, high cost of petroleum products, transportation and medicare, and general lack of basic infrastructure.
The conference also called for a radical change of heart from a political ideology that promotes arbitrary use of power for self-enrichment to politics as service and solidarity with the people.
The bishops declared 2024 as the Year of Prayer, in preparation for the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025.
They emphasised that prayer must be accompanied by action and repentance of wrongdoings as individuals, communities, leaders, and as a nation.
The bishops expressed deep concern over the increasing aberrations during worship, such as unduly lengthy celebrations, excessive monetary collections, lack of silence and decorum, alteration of sacramental words and elements.
They called for intensified vigilance to ensure the liturgy is celebrated according to approved norms.
On the state of the nation, CBCN frowned at the use of violence by some protesters and the killing of citizens by security operatives, while reaffirming the constitutional right to peaceful protest.
They called on governments to address the issues that engender protests and release all detained protesters.
The bishops equally urged the government to reconsider its economic reform policies to lift the burden of hardship from citizens and promote people-oriented development.
The body also appealed to governments to harmonize taxes and address multiple taxation to stem the tide of business collapse and encourage investors.
The CBCN called on all Nigerians to observe the ongoing Year of Prayer, fast sincerely for the country, and commit the nation to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen and Patroness of Nigeria.
(NAN)
