Theme: Faith and Practice
Speaker: Fr. Jude Ezimakor
1. Introduction: Faith as Encounter and Witness
My Lord Bishops, brother priests, consecrated men and women, and beloved faithful, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to make this intervention on the general theme of our Synod: Faith and Practice.
In my recent research on Faith as Encounter and Witness, I observed that faith matures not through emotion or tradition alone, but through a living encounter that engages both the heart and the mind, leading it to authentic witness. A fitting biblical image that illuminates this truth is the Emmaus narrative (Luke 24:13–35).
There we meet two disciples — discouraged, confused, and disillusioned — whose journey of despair becomes a journey of faith at their encounter with the risen Christ. On the road, He opened the Scriptures to them, appealing to their understanding, which at the time was closed. Later that evening, while at table, He broke the bread — and their eyes were opened, pointing to their understanding that was enlightened by grace. Worthy of note, their hearts burned within them on the way as He was opening the truths of the scriptures to them. They came to this realisation through their encounter with Him at the breaking of the bread. Strengthened in faith and renewed in hope, they returned to Jerusalem that same night to bear witness to what they had experienced.
This narrative, as we know, mirrors the very structure of the Eucharistic celebration: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Each Mass, therefore, is meant to form us as witnesses — we listen to understand, we understand to encounter, and we encounter so that we may go forth to live and proclaim what we have received.
In other words, true understanding presupposes believing, and believing leads to conviction and witness. This dynamic — of hearing, understanding, encountering, and witnessing — lies at the heart of authentic Christian practice. When this process weakens, faith becomes fragile and witness fades.
2. Current Challenges in Our Diocese: Crises of Faith and Understanding
Today, in our Diocese and indeed across Nigeria, we are witnessing a troubling shift, particularly among the youth. It is no longer news that many of the young Christians are drifting away from the Catholic faith. Some have long been drawn to Pentecostal expressions of worship, even while remaining within the Catholic fold — attracted, perhaps, by the emphasis on miracles, healing, and instant breakthroughs. Yet when these expectations are unmet, many experience disappointment and disillusionment like the two disciples encountered by Christ. A significant number, in searching for meaning and solutions, even turn to traditional religious practices, which is the modern trend, convinced that their Christian faith has failed to address the deeper questions of their lives.
The fundamental question before our Synod, therefore, is why?
Is it that the Church in our Diocese is not fully realising her mission of nurturing faith and understanding among her people?
This trend points not merely to a faith or devotional crisis, but to an intellectual and pastoral gap. Over the years, faith has often been presented primarily in emotional or pragmatic terms — as a means to solve problems, obtain jobs, or secure healing — rather than as a living relationship grounded in truth, reason, and the mystery of God’s love. When such promises do not materialise, faith appears hollow and deceptive.
We must humbly acknowledge that, at times, our preaching, catechesis, and liturgical practices have not always equipped believers to engage their faith with the realities of life. Too often, Christians have been led to expect that religion alone will resolve every challenge, without being adequately formed to think, discern, and live out their faith within the complex realities of our world. Therefore, our task should be to help believers to connect faith with real life, thought, and meaning, because when faith is not understood, it loses its power to sustain life.
3. The Way Forward: Integrating Faith and Understanding
If this crisis of faith in our Diocese is to be overcome, there is need to return to the lesson of the Emmaus narrative: faith grows through understanding, and authentic witness flows from deep conviction.
For this reason, I propose three concrete pathways for renewal in our Diocese — ways by which faith and understanding may once again take deep root among us, renewing our witness in today’s world.
a. Renewal of Preaching and Catechesis
“Faith comes by hearing” (Rom 10:17). Homilies, therefore, are privileged moment of encounter with the Word of God and should be prayerfully and carefully prepared — both biblically grounded and contextually relevant. While there is room for addressing the social realities that touch the lives of the faithful, preaching should primarily draw its light and strength from the Gospel itself. Each sermon ought to seek not only to comfort but also to enlighten — helping listeners, like those who heard Peter’s preaching on the day of Pentecost, to ask from the heart, “What then must we do?” (Acts 2:37). In this same spirit, it would be valuable for priests to continue engaging personally in catechetical instruction, ensuring that preparation for the sacraments — baptism, confirmation, marriage — nurtures both the mind and the heart.
b. Formation Rooted in Reality and Pastoral Presence
There is a need for a balanced approach between parish administration and pastoral care. The ministry of presence – visiting the sick, the elderly, and those on the margins – is not merely an additional task but lies at the very heart of Christian witness. When the faithful experience that the Church accompanies them in their moments of suffering and vulnerability, their trust and faith in the Gospel are deepened, and the Church’s mission becomes ever more credible and life-giving.
c. Liturgical Renewal and Authentic Worship
Our liturgy should always preserve its sacred character — reverent, participatory, and Christ-centred. While genuine inculturation enriches our worship and allows the Gospel to take root in diverse contexts, care should be taken to maintain the distinctiveness and dignity of the Catholic liturgy. The Eucharist is, above all, a place of encounter and transformation, and not a place of performance. As ministers of this mystery, we, the priests, are called to help the faithful recognise the living Christ in the breaking of the bread, so that through this encounter, they may be renewed and become authentic witnesses of His presence in the world. Hence, Renewal begins when faith is taught, lived, and celebrated with integrity
4. Conclusion:
A faith that continually seeks understanding and a mind that believes — this is the foundation upon which the future of the Church in Enugu Diocese should rest. My brothers and sisters, such a faith is one that engages confidently with science, culture, and the questions of our time, yet remains firmly rooted in the Gospel. When faith and reason, heart and mind, are brought into harmony, we — especially our young people — will rediscover a Christianity that is not an escape from life, but a journey toward truth, meaning, and transformation. Our Goal as a Church will be to build that faith that is deep rooted in understanding. In this way, Christian witness becomes credible, and the Church in Enugu shines once more as a beacon of hope.
Thanks so much for your attention.
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