Ibadan (Fides Service) - "We participants in the First National Congress, have experienced the grace and blessings of God in our midst during our days together at Ss. Peter and Paul Major Seminary in Ibadan. From November 11-15, 2002 over 200 leaders and representatives of the 48 ecclesiastical jurisdictions of Nigeria, and representatives of national church organizations and units gathered together, listened shared, and discussed in order of discern how to become true family of God on mission so that the message of Christ becomes relevant, credible and effective among us". This is part of a nine page Message issued at the end of the Congress by the Bishops of Nigeria, in which they focus on the main problems facing the country: corruption, ethnic and religious strife, unemployment, impoverishment in the midst of plenty, degenerated educational systems and health care services, HIV/AIDS pandemic, widespread insecurity. However, confident that Nigerians are a people of hope and joy, the Bishops look with hope to the future and see as priorities for the future: promoting justice and peace, interreligious dialogue, inculturation of the faith, social communications for evangelisation and missionary outreach to all peoples. See complete Message in English. (Fides Service 23/11/2002)