Lent, Ramadan: Bishop Mamza urges fervent prayers for Nigeria
As Christians across the world commence the solemn season of Lent and Muslims begin the holy month of Ramadan, the Catholic Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Yola, Most Reverend Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza, has called for intensified prayers for Nigeria and the global community amid rising insecurity and mounting socio-economic challenges.
Bishop Mamza made the appeal during the Mass marking Ash Wednesday at Saint Theresa’s Cathedral, where hundreds of faithful gathered to receive ashes, symbolizing repentance and spiritual renewal.
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Delivering his homily, the Bishop described the rare convergence of Lent and Ramadan as a profound spiritual moment for both Christians and Muslims, stressing that the overlapping seasons of fasting and prayer present a unique opportunity for collective intercession for peace and healing.
He lamented the persistent insecurity in parts of Nigeria, economic hardship, social unrest, and global crises that continue to threaten human existence. According to him, the current realities demand not only political and economic solutions but deep spiritual reflection and moral transformation.
“The coincidence of Lent and Ramadan this year is not by accident,” Bishop Mamza said. “It is a divine call for believers to return to God through sincere prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. Our nation and the world are passing through difficult times, and only through genuine conversion of heart can we overcome these challenges.”
He urged Christians to observe the Lenten season with renewed commitment, emphasizing the pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. He noted that Ash Wednesday serves as a reminder of human mortality and the need for repentance, humility, and reconciliation with God and one another.
The Bishop further encouraged interreligious harmony, calling on both Christians and Muslims to use the sacred period to promote peace, unity, and mutual understanding. He stressed that insecurity and global instability can only be addressed when citizens embrace justice, compassion, and responsible leadership.
The Ash Wednesday celebration at Saint Theresa’s Cathedral featured scripture readings, prayers for the nation, and the traditional imposition of ashes on the foreheads of the faithful, marking the beginning of the 40-day Lenten journey toward Easter.
