1. PREAMBLE
"Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings in heaven in Christ. Before the world was made, he chose us, chose us in Christ, to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence, determining that we should become his adopted children, through Jesus Christ for his own kind purpose, to make us praise the glory of his name." (EPH. 1: 3-6).

We, the 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.

2. BACKGROUND
The first pastoral visit of Pope John Paul II to Nigerian in 1982 initiated a "New era of Evangelization." The Holy Father prayed that "zeal for evangelization will envelop the Church in Nigeria." In response to this challenge, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) sponsored and organized a National Seminar, May1-3. 1984 at Ibadan. A decade later, the special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops (African Synod) met in Rome in 1994. That Synod accentuated the description of the church of Africa as the family of God.

The Pope came to Africa in 1995 to bring us the fruits of that Synod in his Apostolic Exhortation - The Church in Africa. Planning of the National pastoral Congress became an important part of the Jubilee 2000 celebrations. Now, thanks to God, in November 2002 having studied the preparatory documents and received reports and input from every diocese of Nigeria, we gather in Ibadan for the Congress. Coming from different dioceses and ethnic groups, in an atmosphere of prayer and adoration, sharing the Eucharist together, we concretely experienced the Church as a large family of God embracing all peoples. We truly experienced the presence of the Holy spirit in our gathering and now share with you the fruits of our deliberations and decisions in this message.

3. THE CONTEXT
The context of Nigeria deeply affected our reflections. In the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, we shared the joys and hopes, the fears and anxieties of the men and women of our time, especially the poor (cf. The Church in the Modern world, 1).

Nigeria continues on the long path to true democracy, in spite of many obstacles and setbacks. Corruption remains rampant. Ethnic and religious strife, conflict and at times bloody violence continue to flare up. Unemployment, the exploitation of workers with salaries delayed, salaries that frequently do not approach a living wage, persistently plague our nation, a nation with so much impoverishment in the midst of plenty. Educational systems and health care services have degenerated. The HIV/AIDS pandemic decimates the Nigerians population and brings untold pain and sorrow to individuals and families. We face widespread insecurity on our roads, in our homes and places of business and even in our rectories and convents.

The traditional deep and all pervasive sense of God and the sense of the sacredness of human life that once characterized our society, seem to be eroding fast before our eyes. Materialism and greed, the loss of the sense of the common good and the menace of cultism have left their mark on our nation. At the same time as public morality seems to decline, we witness an unprecedented growth in the founding of new churches. Often with promises of wealth and miracles, in place of the authentic gospel of Jesus Christ. All of these factors affect the family.

In spite of these persisting concerns and problems, we believe that it is due to the grace of God that the Nigerian people remain hopeful about the future. Their determination to uphold democracy was clearly demonstrated in the recently concluded Voters Registration Exercise. A sense of joy, a resilient spirit, and a legitimate pride in being Nigerians remain strong. this became apparent to us in the various contributions, speeches and interventions made during the Congress. Like any family, we have problems. But as the family of God, we place our trust in the power and grace of God on our side, guiding us to a new and better future.

3. CONGRESS THEMES
The five themes of the Congress echo the five themes of the African Synod, namely Proclamation, inculturation, Dialogue, Justice and Peace and Social Communications. We present here only a brief reflection on the rich and varied input on these important topics for the Church in Nigeria: the Family of God on Mission. Our spirit and sense of family, though derived from our ethnic cultural traditions, is more clearly and directly shaped by the family of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, revealed in the Holy Family of Nazareth, and extended to all peoples through the one, Holy, Catholic and apostolic Church- the family founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ.

4. PROCLAMATION
The family of God that has been blessed with the Good News must in turn become a family that shares the Good News as an evangelizing family. For this to happen, children should be taught, trained and educated in the Catholic faith. this begins in the home, with the child's parents as the first, and hopefully the best, teachers of their child in the faith. The congress urges that schemes be worked out, outling how parents should introduce their children even before nursery and primary school into the prayer life of the Church, and into the values and morals of the Catholic tradition. Membership in the Holy Childhood Association is one way to introduce children into the missionary activity of the Church. in these ways, our families, modeled upon the Holy Family become authentic domestic churches.

Catechesis begins in the home and depends in the parish. For this, catechists, men and women, working in collaboration with the parish priest are needed. Catechetical institutes in each ecclesiastical province should this train and form catechists and other lay men and women to be agents of evangelization. Education and formation in the faith for Catholic adults ought to take place in parishes, especially on Sundays. The tradition of the Catholic Church in building and staffing educational institutions should be given impetus. In many states this is the opportune time, when mission schools are being returned. In addition to primary and secondary school levels, the Church's commitment to quality education should include teacher training colleges, and a Catholic university. Such institution, while open to all, should be so financed or subsidized that the poor are not left out.

If evangelization is to be effective, bishops, priests and religious should not only receive solid and comprehensive initial formation, but also ongoing formation through seminars and programme of special studies. Only through this continual process of education will they be able to guide and lead the new era of evangelization in the ever more complex society in which we live. At the parish level, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) ought to be the rule and not the exception. We should witness in our parishes a model of collaboration between priests, religious and laymen and women, so that the gifts and talents of all members of God's family are put at the service of evangelization. Parish structures and modes of administration should be modeled upon the family. For this to happen, the large parish (and large outstation) might well be reconceived and re-organized as the small or basic Christian community.

The youth as the future of the Church should be the object of special pastoral care through liturgies directed to them and through dedicated and competent chaplains at our colleges and universities. Under such guidance, youths will be encourages and empowered to be the primary evangelizers to those in their own peer group. In this way, the temptation to join cults will be lessened.

5. INCULTURATION
The model of inculturation of Jesus Christ. "Though he was in the form of God, he did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at Rather he emptied himself, and took the form of a slave..." (Phil.2: 6ff). As the congress examined how the Nigerian Church can be truly African and truly Christian, the major concern was, among others, the institution and sacrament of Christian marriage. Much remains to be done in the area of integrating the values and rituals of the Catholic sacrament of marriage into those of the traditional marriage. Here we urge all dioceses to follow the inspired lead of several dioceses, which have painstakingly put together marriage rites that are authentically Catholic and authentically traditional. In addition, we urge serious study on the plight of polygamous families. While the traditions of our culture deserve respect, we should at the same time be faithful to the good news of Jesus Christ and to Church tradition on the nature of marriage. The related question of the large number of Catholics, who do not receive Holy Communion because of marital situations, should also be addressed. the fact that we are at the eye of the Third Nigerian Eucharistic Congress makes such reflection all the more imperative Inculturation goes much deeper than translating the Christian message into local languages. Yet much remains to be done in making available approved translations of the Bible into the many local languages of Nigeria. The word of God should find a home in Christian families and how can this be done if there is no approved translation of the Bible into the languages of so many of our families! Here we may well cooperate with other Christians, for example, experts of the Nigerian Bible Society.

Translations of simple catechisms, based upon the Catechism, of the Catholic Church, should also be printed and made available. At the same time, it is important to recall that when the Catechism of the Catholic church was introduced ten years ago. There was a call for its adaptation and application to the local churches that goes beyond its simple verbal translation into local languages. Structures of the diocese and the parish, while faithful to canon law, need to reflect more clearly and creatively the African tradition of the extended family, with its emphasis on personal relationships, hospitality and on caring for the needs of all. In accord with the Catholic principle that "grace builds on nature." traditional practices should be studied, evaluated and inculturated. Social institutions such as title taking, traditional festivals and masquerades, should be evangelized and Christianized where possible so that they in turn even become vehicles of evangelization.

Flexibility remains a virtue of the Nigerian. The dynamism of life and personal relationships retain a high priority. These same attitudes need to be carried over into Church and parish life. In this way, the Church accepts and builds upon the virtues and strengths of the African tradition. While families are never totally independent from others families, the church in Nigeria should take steps to be truly indigenous, autonomous and self-reliant, particularly in the area of finances:

Much study should also be given to how traditional Nigerians cultures understand the spirit world, the influence of good and evil spirits, the reality of witches and witchcraft. In all of this, we point always to our Christian belief in the power of the Holy Spirit, the good Spirit, who is on our side and able to overcome all evil spirits.

6. DIALOGUE
As God's family on mission, we should always extend the hand of friendship to those of other Christian denominations and to those of other faiths. Our God is creator and redeemer of all, of the entire human family, and part of our mission is to give witness to the generous, boundless love of God. Thus the Congress pledges that we will cooperate even more fully with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in giving witness tot he Christian family as one. The Congress gratefully acknowledged the good will message of the CAN representative at our gathering.

The controversy over Sharia should not stop us from seeking better understanding and collaboration with our Muslim brothers and sisters. God has placed us here in this nation; Nigeria and God will bless us with the gifts of wisdom, peace, charity and understanding to enable us to live together in peace and harmony. Our habit of dialogue should in a special way extend to those of ethnic traditions different from our own. We know that Nigerian has been torn apart by ethnic conflicts which result in part from tribal discrimination and the son of the soil syndrome. In God's family in Nigeria, there are various ethnic groups. The congress calls upon all to see this ethnic diversity as a gift and enrichment to the Nigerian Church and not as a source of conflict or division. We hopefully and joyfully reaffirm our common identity as brothers and sisters, members of one Nigerian national family. In this way, the Catholic family gives strong witness to the unity amid diversity that is one of the key gifts that God has given our nation. This witness of unity calls for healing of memories, forgiveness and reconciliation. Such a process will not be easy. It calls for sacrifice and the readiness to pay the price for unity and peace.

We have mentioned the importance of collaboration. For this to be effective, there should be dialogue within the Catholic Church at all levels. Here again, the model of family bears fruit as it challenges us to listen, reflect, challenge one another, whether the clergy, religious or laity, whether man or woman, young or old. No one is left our in the family of God.

7. JUSTICE AND PEACE
The Congress condemns in no uncertain terms all forms of discrimination, exploitation and violence against women. In particular, we urge dioceses and parishes to reach out to widows who have suffered and continue to suffer because of inhuman and unchristian traditions. Not only should the plight of widows be addressed as a matter of charity, but also as one, which demands structural change.

Furthermore, the pastoral care of the Church should continue to reach out to those in broken marriages, those separated and divorced. Even with the limits offered by canon law, charity must prevail, so that such Catholics do not feel alienated or abandoned, but rather be seen and welcomed as members of the family of God. Steps should be taken to overcome discrimination and injustice committed in the name of tribal affinity as well as all other manifestations of social discrimination. Our special concern reaches out to victims of HIV/AIDS and we express our solidarity with them. in the spirit of one family, we urge that programmes be set up to combat this epidemic. These programmes will aim at creating AIDS awareness, arresting the spread of the virus, and extending pastoral care to infected individuals and their families.

The Church should take the lead not only in developing and spreading the concept of the just wage, but also take the lead in practicing it, based upon the tradition of the Church's social teachings. In this way they will give hope and increased support to the many dedicated and long serving church workers and their families.

The program of Civic Education, mandated in March 2001 to be implemented in every parish in Nigeria should be expanded and evaluated. Through this, not only the civilian populace, but also Catholic political leaders should be empowered to speak and act strongly in defence of the rights and responsibilities of everyone. We urge political office holders to eschew greed, violence, ethnocentrism and the politicization of religion and rather work for unity, peace, stability and prosperity for everyone.

We are grateful for the financial support the Nigerian Church has received from overseas aid agencies. The Church in Nigeria at this 1st National Pastoral Congress is reaching a new stage in its development. No longer should we always look abroad for the resources to carry out our mission. Now is the time to set in motion our own machinery for self-reliance. This will involve the establishment of aid agencies in the Nigerian Church funded and supported by Nigerian Catholics. We acknowledge the enormous contribution of the national, diocesan and parish based, justice, Development and Peace Commissions/Committees and urge them to continue and expand their activities. The spirit of solidarity, so necessary for every family, should become even stronger and more visible in the actions and programs of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria. The needs of mission are so great that we see ever more clearly that only through the collaboration and sharing of personnel and resources among the ecclesiastical provinces and dioceses, can the Church as family of God successfully carry out its mission. In this spirit, special attention should also be given to the common projects of the Nigerian Church.

8. SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
The revolution in technology, especially those technologies relating to media and mass communications continues at breathtaking pace, from radios to televisions, to satellite dishes and GSM, to the Internet and e-mail, to the home video. Even with this new influx of information, we witness a growing number of books, papers and magazines. Families get most of their information through these media. They influence our attitudes and shape our values. In this revolution, the Church cannot afford to be left out or left behind. Rather, the Church should be in the frontline in guiding, evangelizing and harnessing the energies and the possibilities of these new modes of communication.

In addition to a more effective use of existing facilities, the church should now, definitely at the national level, and also at provincial or diocesan levels where feasible, find ways of encouraging and supporting the establishment of new radio and television stations. The resources and possibilities of the Internet, for example, an up to date website for the Nigerian Church should be utilized in our evangelizing mission. Links between parishes and dioceses, links between the faithful and their leaders can and should be made through the use of e-mail.

Parishes should allot a fair share of their resources to install modern and efficient public address systems for use in liturgical services. With regard to print media, ecclesiastical provinces should discuss how best, through one or several Catholic papers, they can share the good news with their congregations.

9. WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO VARIOUS GROUPS

BISHOPS
The Congress acknowledged your foresight and pastoral leadership in calling for this First National Pastoral Congress. Through turbulent times, you have remained a constant "Voice of the Voiceless" not only for Catholics in Nigeria, but for the entire populace. the Congress urges you not to relent in your efforts to challenge all of us to work for the deepening of the faith of the people of God and for the common good of Nigeria.

PRIESTS
We acknowledge the great sacrifices you are making in fulfilling your challenging task as leaders in guiding and building up the Body of Christ. Working together with all members of the family of God, endeavour always to make present your life and ministry the saving love of Jesus Christ, whose priesthood you share.

RELIGIOUS MEN AND WOMEN
We give thanks to God for the many religious families our country Nigeria is blessed with, you bear witness to the beauty of consecrated and dedicated life in community. The Congress encourages you to grow strength to strength in your commitment to God in the service of the family of God.

SEMINARIANS, AND CANDIDATES FOR CONSECRATED LIFE
"The harvest is great, but the labourers are few." We thank God for your vocations to the priesthood and religious life, truly gists from heaven. We urge you to be open to the spirit who is the chief agent of your formation, and cooperate fully with those who accompany you in your journey in becoming fit instruments of the mission of the Church.

CATECHISTS
Our Congress gratefully acknowledges the meritorious legacy you have bequeathed to the missionary enterprise in Nigeria. More then ever before, the Christian family depends on you and we encourage you in your often unrecognized work.

LAY FAITHFUL
You, the members of Christ's faithful in this age of the laity, have the special, and irreplaceable task of being the presence of the Church in the world, the challenging assignment of inculturating gospel values of Jesus in homes, businesses, political and educational institutions. You are the front line of the church, and this is not an easy task today. You should continue to heroically carry out your part in the family of God on mission. The church, the society in Nigeria, needs your witness of honesty, dedicated service, fairness and justice, as men and women of peace, dialogue and non-violence.

The Congress recognizes that the faith, love and dedication of our women to family life and church have always been the strength and solid foundation of Church and society in Nigeria. We see new possibilities and challenges before you as women, and encourage you to use your feminine genius to discharge your duties. In the spirit of Pope John Paul II who challenges all to launch into the deep, we urge you to continue to creatively make available your many gifts and talents in the Church and in the larger society, gifts that stand with and for life in all its forms and aspects.

This Congress recognizes the enormous importance and potential of the youth of this nation. We feel in a special way the pains and difficulties you experience, the gap you see so clearly between the Nigeria we want and the Nigeria we see. You are our hope. do not give in to discouragement in the face of these difficulties. You can always count on the love and support of the family of God as you face the future.

Children with the help of, and in obedience to, your parents and elders. You are like the child Jesus, to grow in wisdom, age and grace (Lk:2:52) you have a role to play in the family of God on mission, by your good conduct and example, by your prayers, and by your growth in the fear and love of God.

CHRISTIAN FAMILIES
In this new millennium, you are challenged to become and be the authentic domestic Church. The congress encourages you in this difficult task in the face of present day challenges and difficulties. Your witness of true and faithful love, responsible parenthood, and care for human life, is needed more than ever. Fidelity to the Church's teaching on natural methods of family planning will be an important part of your witness.

TO OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS
We are all members of the family of God in Christ Jesus through Baptism. In virtue of our Baptism, we have much that unites us. We believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and in our own ways try to be faithful in announcing that good news to all. Let our lack of unity not give false, rather let us work together in our efforts at evangelization so that Nigerian society can be renewed and transformed.

TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE ISLAMIC FAITH
God has chosen us to have Abraham as the father of our families of faith. May we always remember the unity we have in the one God, God who is a God of peace and compassion. May we in Nigeria set an example to others of how brothers and sisters of two great faith traditions can live and work together in peace and harmony for the common good of our nation and our people.

TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO FIND AND SERVE GOD THROUGH AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS
Many of your traditions have brought you closer to God, the God we see revealed most clearly and fully in Jesus Christ. We continue to respect these traditions, which you inherited, and pass on and see God at work in them.

11. We are grateful to you, God and Father of us all, for the success of our First National Pastoral Congress. We are filled with new hope and new determination to be the family of God on mission. To carry out this task, we need the presence and gifts of the Holy Spirit. And so we ask you. Father, to send your Spirit upon us, the Spirit who at Pentecost came upon Mary and the apostle sand sent them forth to begin the mission of the Church. May that Spirit give us the courage, determination and the means to implement the decisions, which through his inspiration we have arrived at during this Congress.

Mary, Queen of apostles and Queen of Nigeria, continue to intercede for us and be always with us as the Star of Evangelization. Amen.

Most Rev. Dr. J. O. Onaiyekan
PRESIDENT CBCN
Most Rev. Dr. L.I. Ugorji
SECRETARY CBCN