Bishop Kukah Calls for Renewal of Catholic Values in Nigeria

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, expressed concern over the gradual erosion of Catholic values in Nigeria's public and private life during a lecture titled “To Conquer or to Serve? Thoughts on the Contributions of the Catholic Church to Human Development and the Making of a Good Society in Nigeria.” This lecture took place on Friday at St. Finbarr’s College Auditorium in Akoka, Lagos, as part of activities commemorating the late Rev. Fr. Denis Slattery.

Kukah discussed the concept of “soft power,” aligning it with Jesus Christ's teachings and the historical contributions of Catholic missionaries in Nigeria, particularly in education and healthcare. He challenged former students of Catholic institutions to reflect on the lasting impact of their education on their lives.

Kukah warned that failing to pass on Catholic values to younger generations could weaken the Church's societal influence, stating that moral values could diminish and vanish over time if not transmitted effectively.