Formation for the Church in Nigeria

“Persecution has even strengthened our faith.” So said Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme of the Diocese of Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, which has suffered greatly from the terrorism of Boko Haram. They have an especially strong devotion to the Mother of God here. “Mary has worked many miracles among us,” the bishop assures us.

Last year, when a priest was kidnapped by the terrorists, the Catholic faithful of the diocese prayed a novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succor, and 51 days later, he was set free. “He had openly told the men of Boko Haram that he was a Catholic priest, and after that, they began to treat him better. They wanted to convert him to their own religion, but he told them, ‘There is only one truth: Jesus is the Savior of the world!’ They were clearly impressed by this and began to treat him well. When they set him free, he was even able to bring ten kidnapped women to freedom with him,” Bishop Oliver tells us.

Sometime before that, another priest had been abducted, and the terrorists, in fact, had intended to kill him the next day, as they told him. On that occasion, too, the faithful prayed a novena to Our Lady. “That night, he managed to escape together with some of the other prisoners. They had to walk for 19 hours, but the men of Boko Haram didn’t attempt to chase after him or capture him again. We also attribute his rescue to Our Lady’s intercession — just as we do the general improvement in the situation in our diocese. I am quite sure that the Mother of God will continue to work miracles among us, her children,” he says.

Indeed, his auxiliary, Bishop John Bogna Bakeni, tells of yet more miracles: “Before, many people were somewhat lukewarm in their faith, but now the churches are fuller than ever. And the number of vocations is also rising. More young men than before want to become priests, and many young women are becoming religious sisters. So however hard this persecution may be, this is the witness we can give to the world: the testimony of a faith that is being tested.”

Thanks to your generous help, we have been able to support the Diocese of Maiduguri over many years. Again and again, thanks to your kind gifts, we have been able to help with the training of seminarians and catechists; support priests with Mass stipends; provide emergency aid for refugees; and even fund various construction projects and vehicles for pastoral work.

“ACN is our backbone,” says Bishop Dashe Doeme. “Not just financially, but also spiritually. Without your help, the Church in Maiduguri would have foundered long ago. You have always been a moral support for us. Your help is playing a vital role in people’s lives and encouraging their spiritual growth. Please keep on helping us as before!”

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