By Olivia Obijiaku
Through his 2026 Lenten Campaign Message, themed, ‘The Dignity of the Human Person: A Divine Mandate’, the Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Zaria, Most Rev Dr. Habila Tyiakonaboi Daboh, tasked the faithful of the diocese to extend solidarity to the marginalized ones within the diocese. The message was read in Our Lady Queen of Parish, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Sunday, March 8, 2026, by the Vicar General of the diocese, Very Rev Fr. Michael Pius Kagarko, who represented the bishop, during the first of the 2026 Lenten Campaign Flag-Offs, that held in the parish.
His Lordship who disclosed that the 2026 Lenten season takes on a particular urgency in the context of the diocese, asserted that his jurisdiction has continued to “witness the painful realities of poverty, insecurity, displacement, and social marginalization affecting many families, including widows, orphans, internally displaced persons, and the working poor.” He implored them to go beyond material assistance to attending to spiritual and emotional needs of the target group through acts of sharing, accompaniment, advocacy and charity.
“In the Diocese of Zaria, many families live under the weight of displacement.” The bishop revealed. “Others struggle with extreme poverty, lack of access to proper education, proper healthcare, and stable livelihoods. The dignity of these brothers and sisters is often threatened not only by material deprivation but also by neglect and indifference. Pope Francis warns against such indifference, describing it as a spiritual illness that blinds society to the suffering of others.”
“The Lenten campaign of 2026 therefore calls the faithful to solidarity, a recognition that we are responsible for one another. Solidarity, as Catholic Social Teaching explains, is not a vague feeling of compassion but ‘a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good (John Paul II 1987).’ Through acts of sharing, advocacy, and accompaniment, the faithful become instruments of God’s love and justice.”
“Displaced families within the diocese face unique challenges. Many have lost homes, livelihoods, and social support networks. The Church, as a mother is called to offer not only material assistance but also pastoral care, dignity, and hope. Defending human dignity in the Diocese of Zaria requires intentional and organized action. Almsgiving during Lent must move beyond token gestures to become sharing of life and resources.”
“In this light, every parish and Catholic organization is encouraged to identify practical ways of assisting displaced persons, through food support, shelter, education for children, and emotional and spiritual accompaniment. The less privileged, including widows, the elderly, and unemployed youth, also deserve special attention. Genuine support uplifts rather than humiliate. It restores hope rather than dependency.”
Bishop Daboh reminded them that, in addition to being a time for personal spiritual discipline, Lent is also a season that calls believers to concrete acts of justice and mercy. He cited Prophet Isaiah’s caution against empty religiosity, calling for active concern for the vulnerable. “This prophetic mandate remains relevant in the life of the Church today, particularly within the socio-economic realities of Northern Nigeria.
In his address, the Coordinator of Justice Development and Peace Commission of the diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Adikwu Odeh, expressed that the dignity of the human person is not a concept that is invented by modern human right movements, but a truth that stands at the center of Christian faith and moral teaching, which is deeply rooted in divine revelation.
He added that, “In a world marked by deep divisions and persistent injustice, the Christian commitment to human dignity remains both challenging and transformative. By recognizing each person as created in God’s image, the Church is called to bear witness to a vision of humanity grounded in love, justice and solidarity.”
Fr. Odeh maintained that upholding the dignity of the human person is not optional, but a faithful’s response to God’s call and a vital expression of the Gospel in the modern world.
The Vicar General and the host Parish Priest, Rev Fr. Dt. Tijjani Ezekiel Danlami, alongside the coordinator, thanked the faithful for donating to the course of the target group, through JDPC, praying God to reward them abundantly.
