Bishop Obodo laments Nigeria’s moral bankruptcy despite strong religious structures

THE Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu, Most Reverend Ernest Obodo, has lamented over the moral bankruptcy in Nigeria, despite the country’s strong religious structures.

The cleric made this known during his homily recently marking the fourth day of the ongoing first 2025 CBCN Plenary Assembly, expressing concern that despite Nigeria being a very religious country with 83 Catholic bishops and nearly 10,000 Catholic priests and religious, there has been no corresponding change in the moral lives of Nigerians.

“Nigeria is a very religious country… not to mention the numerous other pastors and imams preaching repentance to the people of this country, yet there has been no corresponding change in the moral lives of the Nigerian people,” he lamented.

Bishop Obodo noted that Nigeria’s level of corruption warrants God’s anger and destruction. “Nigeria, with its diverse culture and languages, may be compared to Nineveh. But for God’s mercy, the level of corruption in Nigeria warrants God’s anger and destruction,” he said.

The bishop emphasized the need for repentance, a central theme of the Lenten season. He encouraged Christians to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which offers God’s mercy and forgiveness.

“God always responds with mercy when we approach Him with contrite hearts, confessing our sins. Jesus is the sign of Jonah to the people of the New Testament, and through Him, God’s mercy is extended to us at the confessional, God’s throne of mercy,” he admonished.

Urging Christians to love the Sacrament of Reconciliation and approach it as often as needed, Bishop Obodo, quoting St. Josemaria Escriva, emphasized the importance of making good confessions that are concise, concrete, clear, and complete.

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