Nigeria: Religious men and women navigate faith and culture

Sr. Georginia Chidalu Ohalete, PHJC - Owerri

Presiding over Holy Mass for Owerri’s religious men and women during the World Day for Consecrated Life, Archbishop Ugorji alluded to some of the challenges faced by the religious of today in Nigeria.

Life of poverty vs. a culture of ostentation

In his homily, the Archbishop offered a candid assessment of how material possessions among the religious have become a significant challenge for Nigerian consecrated persons.

"For us in Nigeria, the life of detachment from material things is an area of focus, and it should be an area of focus," Archbishop Ugorji said. He continued, "Even though we surrender ourselves during religious profession or consecration, religious ordination, especially when we lie down in front of the altar—symbolising humility and total self-giving to God—often, what we have donated, we later take back through greed for material possessions," he said. 

"Many religious communities are not at peace because of the struggle for material things. Numerous priests and religious are unable to remain faithful to their vow of poverty because of the culture we find ourselves in—the culture of ostentation," the Owerri prelate outlined.

A vision that sees beyond

The Archbishop highlighted a profound detail from the Gospel account of the day, taken from Luke Chapter 2.

While many young people with keen eyesight saw the infant Jesus brought to the temple, it was the two elderly individuals, Simeon and Anna, who recognised the child Jesus as the Promised One.

Quoting an African proverb about the wisdom and foresight of elders, Archbishop Ugorji told the religious, "What an elderly person sees sitting down, a young person cannot see even when standing." He explained that Simeon and Anna lived devout lives and because of this, they could recognise and encounter the infant on another level.

This spiritual vision, seen in Simeon and Anna, the Archbishop emphasised, comes through purification and devotion—qualities that should characterise all consecrated persons.

2026 - Year of Saint Francis

The Archbishop also took time to speak about the special Year of Saint Francis of Assisi, urging the gathered religious to lead in rekindling the virtues exemplified by this great and holy saint—particularly in the pursuit of peace.

From 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027, the universal Church is commemorating the Year of Saint Francis of Assisi. The faithful worldwide are encouraged to follow the example of Saint Francis, becoming models of holiness and witnesses of peace.

"We need peace in the world, peace in our country, peace in our families, peace within our religious communities, but above all, peace in our hearts," the Archbishop said. "We must pray that God grants us that peace which the world cannot give."

Consecrated Life and evangelization

Father Anthony Agugo, a Claretian priest and president of the male and female religious association in the Owerri Archdiocese, acknowledged the challenges raised by Archbishop Ugorji. He reiterated the Archbishop’s sentiments and suggested that those called to religious life are meant to rise above cultural challenges and embrace the sacrifices inherent in their vocation.

For her part, Sister Eucharista Ezeobiukwu, of the Congregation of Jesus the Saviour and president of the Nigerian Conference of Women Religious (NCWR) in the Owerri Archdiocese stressed the role of consecrated life in evangelization.

"Through their witness to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, religious men and women offer a visible sign of total dedication to Christ, which draws many to the faith," she explained.

The annual celebration of the World Day for Consecrated Life in Owerri Archdiocese was marked by Holy Mass and later a convivial atmosphere, characterised by some cultural dances and a shared meal.