By Olivia Obijiaku
Vice Rector of St Joseph Seminary Zaria Rev Fr Benedict Nkom has blamed ineffective evangelism on poor communication styles. At the Mass he celebrated in Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Ahmadu Bello University Zaria on Wednesday, 8th May 2024, the priest pointed to inability of many Catholics to explain the doctrines and dogmas of the Church properly to non-Catholics as a leading cause of indifference towards the Church – a feeling that discourages some from joining the apex Christian denomination.
He cited Paul in the day’s first reading, who appealed to the intellect of his audience in gaining and sustaining their interest and maintained that the right communication styles are needed for the effective spread of the Gospel and that of true presentation and defense of the teachings of the Church.
His words, “I notice a gap in the way we communicate. Unfortunately we fail sometimes when we are confronted with the challenge of communication. Sometimes this affects spiritual communication. It is in the nature of Protestants to say that they do not understand what we do in the Church.
But when they meet you as a Catholic, your communication style will either make it easy for them to understand or to send them far away.
When Paul preached and some people laughed but some people still accepted his message because of the communication style he used.
Teaching in the Catholic Church requires some time. You need time to explain our doctrine and dogmas. Please always use a beautiful communication style.”
