By Charles Igwe
The Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, has called on seminarians in the country not to abandon their vocation despite the growing insecurity that has continued to target religious institutions and personnel. His appeal came in the wake of the July 10 attack on the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, where three seminarians were kidnapped and a security officer lost his life.
Condemning the attack during an interview with ACI Africa, Archbishop Crotty expressed deep concern over the targeting of innocent and vulnerable members of the Church. “Like many Nigerians, I ask why this is happening. These seminarians are not businessmen; they have no money. They are not political actors, and it is of great concern to me and to the entire Church in Nigeria,” he lamented.
Describing the security crisis in the country as complex and marked by unchecked criminality and impunity, the Vatican envoy questioned why Catholic institutions appeared to be recurring targets. “We are all aware of the violent criminality that seems to go unchecked. I share the concerns of the Church as to why Catholic institutions are being targeted,” he stated.
Archbishop Crotty expressed solidarity with the Diocese of Auchi, calling on the Nigerian government to live up to its primary duty of protecting lives and property. “It is the primary responsibility of the forces to ensure law and order, to ensure that crime does not happen, and to ensure justice for the victims of crime,” he emphasized.
While stressing the importance of accountability, he also urged the Church to respond to the crisis through deep and unceasing prayer. “We pray earnestly and join our hearts with the Diocese of Auchi as we pray for the safe release of those who have been taken, and also extend condolences to the family of the slain civil defense officer who was killed during the attack,” he said.
Despite the grim reality, the Apostolic Nuncio encouraged seminarians and the wider Church community not to despair. “We live in a situation where things happen that should not happen; nevertheless, we must always trust in the power and sovereignty of God, that good always triumphs over evil,” he affirmed.
He concluded with a message of hope and trust in divine providence: “I ask you to trust in the Lord and trust in His care and guidance. We must continue lifting our hearts in prayer, because God can do all things and He is willing and able to see us through all our difficulties.”
