Amina Samuel ,Kaduna
The Catholic Archdiocesan Laity Council has called for urgent action to secure the release of Rev Fr Bobbo Paschal, the Parish Priest of St Stephen’s Parish, Kushe Gugudu in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Fr Paschal was abducted alongside others, prompting renewed appeals for intervention.
Speaking during the 2025 Laity Conference and Annual General Meeting held at Our Lady of Apostles Catholic Church, Independent Way, Kaduna, the Council commended Governor Uba Sani for what it described as notable improvements in peace and security since he assumed office.
President of the Council, Engineer Joachim Dauda, however stressed that insecurity remained a burden on citizens.
“We cannot ignore the pain of insecurity,” he said.
Dauda urged Catholic lay members to rise with courage and assume greater visibility in defending the Church’s values.
“We cannot remain silent spectators while the richness of our faith is diluted,” he warned.
According to him, safeguarding liturgical fidelity and strengthening Catholic influence in public life rests heavily on the shoulders of lay members.
“Our parishes need lay leaders who embody correct practice. Our communities need Catholics who carry the light of the Gospel into public life,” he added.
He reminded members that service was rooted in sacrifice, not titles, urging them to act with integrity, accountability and commitment to the Church’s mission.
Dauda also called for unity, deeper formation and a more impactful Laity presence across all deaneries and parishes.
Highlighting the conference theme, “Catholic Culture as a Solution to Liturgical Aberrations: The Place of Catholic Social Teaching,” he said it was not merely a topic for discussion but “a clarion call”.
He lamented growing distortions in liturgical practice, describing them as signs of a waning appreciation of Catholic heritage.
“It is a wake-up call for renewal, for fidelity and for action,” he declared.
