The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Zaria, Most Rev. Dr. Habila Tyiakonaboi Daboh has said that the Christian faith is neither a wishful thinking nor optimism, but one that is rooted in the faithfulness of God and sustained by His love. Extending the Church’s invitation to the faithful, to acknowledge what God does in their midst and who He wants them to become, the local ordinary observed that the hope they expressed in the past has borne good fruits such as discovering the importance of prayer, the sacraments and trust in God; increased participation at the Eucharistic celebrations; healing of wounded hearts; among others.
The bishop commended his flock for renewed concern for the poor, the sick, the displaced, the unemployed, and victims of violence, which they exhibited through acts of charity and shared responsibility, visible and concrete love and compassion. He then them to deepen their sense of communion and solidarity, since hope is not lived alone but together.
“Christian hope is not wishful thinking or optimism.” His Lordship expressed. “It is rooted in God’s faithfulness and sustained by His love, poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. The Church invites us not only to look at what we have done, but to recognise what God has done among us and to ask what He continues to call us to become. Looking back, we can truly say that hope has borne much fruit in the life of our diocese.”
“Many of our people rediscovered the importance of prayer, the sacraments, and trust in God. In times of hardship and uncertainty, hope drew people back to the altar, to Scripture, and to the community of the Church. Confessions increased, Eucharistic celebrations were better attended, and many weary hearts found comfort in the assurance that God is still at work. Through acts of charity and shared responsibility, hope became visible and concrete, expressed in love and compassion.”
