By John Dike, Osogbo
The Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, John Akinwumi Oyejola, has declared that Nigeria cannot achieve lasting peace, security and national development in an environment where injustice, inequality and neglect of the poor continue to thrive.
He made the declaration on Sunday during a solemn Mass marking the solemnity of Corpus Christi, also known as the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, one of the most revered celebrations in the Catholic Church held at St Benedict catholic cathedral in Osogbo.
Bishop Oyejola delivered a passionate sermon in which he challenged Christians to return to the core values of the faith and warned against what he described as the growing obsession with miracles, prosperity and material possessions at the expense of genuine salvation and commitment to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The bishop also used the occasion to renew calls for the return of mission schools to their original owners, arguing that the declining standard of discipline among pupils and students across the country has become a major concern requiring urgent intervention.
According to him, many of the social, moral and security challenges confronting the nation today can be traced to the gradual erosion of family values, weakening moral standards and the abandonment of principles that once guided society.
Reflecting on the significance of Corpus Christi, Bishop Oyejola described the Holy Eucharist as the spiritual foundation upon which the Catholic Church stands, stressing that it remains the source of strength, grace and abundant life for believers.
He explained that the feast celebrates the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and serves as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice for humanity and His continuing presence among His people.
Quoting extensively from the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, the bishop noted that Jesus Christ presented Himself as the Bread of Life and promised eternal life to those who worthily partake in His Body and Blood.
“The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ is life. Anyone who receives Him worthily receives abundant life. The Eucharist sustains the Church and gives believers the spiritual strength to live according to God’s commandments,” he said.
While emphasizing the importance of the sacrament, the bishop lamented that many Christians have shifted their focus from spiritual growth to the pursuit of earthly gains.
He observed that churches are increasingly being viewed as centres for obtaining miracles, financial breakthroughs and personal success rather than places of worship, repentance and transformation.
According to him, the true essence of Christianity has been overshadowed by materialism and an unhealthy desire for worldly prosperity.
“Many Christians today are more interested in signs and wonders than in salvation. They seek miracles and material blessings but often neglect the deeper purpose of their faith.
Christianity is about salvation, obedience to God and living according to the teachings of Christ,” he stated.
The bishop urged believers to look beyond material wealth and concentrate on building a closer relationship with God through prayer, obedience and acts of charity.
He stressed that genuine Christian worship must not end inside church buildings but should be reflected in the way believers relate with one another in their daily lives.
According to him, true devotion to God should inspire acts of kindness, compassion, justice and service to humanity.
Bishop Oyejola further linked many of Nigeria’s security challenges to widespread injustice and economic inequality.
He argued that criminal activities such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism often flourish in societies where people feel neglected, marginalized and deprived of opportunities.
According to him, no nation can enjoy genuine peace if large segments of its population continue to suffer poverty, exclusion and hopelessness.
“If every Christian truly practiced the teachings of Christ, many of the problems facing society today would disappear. Where justice reigns and where people genuinely care for one another, criminality cannot thrive,” he said.
The cleric insisted that peace and justice are inseparable, warning that any attempt to pursue peace without addressing the issue of justice would ultimately fail.
“Where there is no justice, there can never be peace. Peace is built on fairness, equity and concern for one another. When people are denied opportunities, neglected or treated unfairly, tension and conflict become inevitable.
He challenged political leaders, public office holders and wealthy individuals to embrace generosity and use their positions to improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
According to him, those who have been blessed with wealth and influence have a responsibility to assist the less privileged and contribute to the development of society.
“You cannot claim to love your neighbour while ignoring his suffering. Christianity teaches us to share what we have and to show concern for others. When people feel loved, valued and included, there is less room for violence and hatred.”
Bishop Oyejola also stressed the need for equitable distribution of resources across the country.
He argued that many communal conflicts, agitations and social tensions stem from perceptions of marginalization and unfair treatment.
“If everybody gets a fair share of the nation’s resources and opportunities, there will be fewer conflicts. People become frustrated when they feel excluded from the benefits of society. Justice must be the foundation of national development.”
The bishop further called for respect for human dignity, insisting that every individual deserves to be treated with honour regardless of religion, ethnicity, social status or economic background.
“Every human being is created in the image of God. Therefore, every person deserves respect and dignity. We cannot build a peaceful and progressive society if we continue to discriminate against or oppress one another.”
Turning his attention to the family, Bishop Oyejola charged parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for the moral upbringing of their children.
He lamented what he described as a steady decline in discipline among young people, warning that many societal problems are products of poor parental guidance and weak family structures.
According to him, government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of raising responsible citizens.
“The family remains the first school of character. Parents must teach their children honesty, discipline, respect and responsibility. Everything should not be left to the government or the schools.”
The bishop expressed concern over what he described as the declining standard of discipline in both public and private schools.
He maintained that educational institutions must not focus solely on academic excellence but should also prioritize moral formation and character development.
As part of efforts to address the challenge, Bishop Oyejola renewed the long-standing demand for the return of schools taken over by government from missionary organizations.
He argued that mission schools played a significant role in shaping generations of disciplined and responsible citizens and contributed immensely to educational development in Nigeria.
According to him, the values of discipline, integrity, accountability and moral instruction that characterized many mission schools have gradually diminished over the years.
“Mission schools contributed greatly to the educational and moral development of society. Schools should be returned to their original missionary owners for proper management and the restoration of values and discipline.”
The bishop concluded his homily with a call for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, urging citizens to reject violence and embrace the teachings of Christ.
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He reminded Christians that Jesus preached love, forgiveness, mercy and reconciliation, not hatred, vengeance or violence.
“Jesus did not authorize His followers to fight or hate one another. He taught us to love our neighbours, forgive our enemies and become instruments of peace. As Christians, we must be ambassadors of justice, compassion and reconciliation wherever we find ourselves.”
His message resonated strongly with worshippers who attended the Corpus Christi celebration, many of whom described the sermon as timely and relevant in view of the country’s economic hardship, insecurity and growing moral challenges.
Several faithful noted that the bishop’s call for justice, discipline, compassion and genuine Christian living highlights the urgent need for moral renewal and national rebirth, stressing that sustainable peace can only be achieved when citizens and leaders alike embrace fairness, responsibility and concern for the common good.
