The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah,in his Christmas message,has called on Christians in Nigeria to remember their divine calling as the “light of the world.” Addressing the nation today, Bishop Kukah emphasized that Christians must not blame societal institutions like the Constitution, judiciary, or public servants for the widespread corruption in Nigeria.
He reminded them that their baptismal vows require them to uphold the teachings of Christ and live by the laws of God, which surpass any human-made law.
“The Constitution is a human instrument with limitations and flaws, but the Word of God is a divine command,” Bishop Kukah stated. He urged Christians to resist the temptation to use the country’s structural challenges as excuses for wrongdoing, instead embodying the values of peace, justice, love, and reconciliation that Christmas represents.
He also expressed concern over the secularization of Christmas, lamenting how the celebration of Jesus’ birth has increasingly become commercialized. “Christmas is no longer seen as a celebration of the good news of joy and light to the world but as a business opportunity,” Kukah observed.
Reflecting on global unrest, he cited the ongoing violence in Gaza as a stark contrast to the peace that Jesus’ birth symbolizes. He urged Christians to use this Christmas as a time for deep personal reflection on their Christian witness amidst a world engulfed in moral decline and violence.
