Vatican Archbishop Condemns Killings of Christians in Nigeria, Calls CPC Designation a “Wake-Up Call” for the Nation
The Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, has strongly condemned the ongoing killings and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, describing the situation as “painful and shameful.” He urged Nigerian authorities to focus on ending the violence rather than debating the country’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the United States.
Speaking in Abuja on November 8, 2025, during his conferment with an honorary doctorate degree from Veritas University, Archbishop Nwachukwu lamented that insecurity across Nigeria has become “unbearable,” particularly for ordinary citizens in affected regions.
“It is heartbreaking to see my people being slaughtered by bandits and insurgents,” he said. “I am Nigerian; I cannot detach myself from this reality. The suffering of my people is my suffering.”
The Vatican official criticized ongoing debates surrounding Nigeria’s CPC classification, saying energy should be redirected toward stopping the bloodshed. “It is shameful that we have reached this level where such a classification is even necessary. Instead of arguing about it, let us address the root cause — the killings,” he said.
He added, “If you remove the cause, you remove the effect. If we do not want to be classified as a country of concern, then we must end these senseless killings.”
Archbishop Nwachukwu stressed that every human life — regardless of faith or background — holds equal value before God. “No killing should ever be justified. Every life lost, even one, is too many,” he emphasized.
He warned that the ongoing violence, corruption, and leadership failures have not only devastated communities but also tarnished Nigeria’s global reputation. “The image of our nation is being dragged through the mud,” he said. “When our leaders fail to act justly, it affects every Nigerian, even those living abroad.”
Despite the grim reality, the Archbishop offered a message of hope to victims and persecuted Christians across the country. “You are not forgotten,” he assured. “The world is watching, and your cries are being heard. Let us pray that those in power will finally take decisive action to restore peace, justice, and human dignity in Nigeria.”
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