The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Tor Uja, has called on the Catholic Church to bring together the other arms of the Christian community to share experiences that would promote the unity of the Church.
The NCPC boss made this known in Abuja while playing host to the Executive members of Abuja Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on pilgrimage.
While appreciating the Catholic Church for being in the fore front of pilgrimage process in Nigeria, the NCPC helmsman stressed that the church in Nigeria has grown astronomically and with the growth, the country is being faced with other challenges plaguing the society.
To this end, he called on the church to tackle the issue of corruption, violence, armed robbery, inter-alia. In his words: “I will like the leadership of the Catholic church to bring their experiences to bear”
Rev. Uja informed his guests that the Commission has constituted a committee to reduce the cost of pilgrimage. His words: “I have set up a committee charged with the reduction of pilgrimage cost in Nigeria,” “Whatever we will do to reduce the cost, we will do”, he added.
Rev Uja stressed the need for Christians who had gone on pilgrimage to bring their encounter to bear in nation’s development. His words: “people who have seen God has the sole duty of impacting on the society.”
He maintained that the Commission would strive for greater synergy with all churches by sharing ideas that would promote pilgrimage activities. According to him, “we are ready to work with all parts of the church.”
He commended the Federal Government for all the support given to the Commission and Hajj Commission over the years.
Earlier, the chairman of Abuja Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on pilgrimage, Rev. Fr. Chris Bologo, congratulated the NCPC boss for his well deserved appointment. He prayed that he would be able to take Christian Pilgrimage to the next level.
He spoke on the need for his committee to continue to partner with NCPC on pilgrimage. According to the priest, “we will be of support to NCPC in any way possible so that pilgrimages are promoted.”
He explained that his committee had always encouraged Catholics in Abuja to be part of pilgrimages organized by the Commission.
He further explained that the committee usually organized its own pilgrimages for Catholic faithful and that NCPC had been very helpful in the area of visa procurement. According to him, “It is our hope that this collaboration will continue.”
Rev. Bologo informed Rev. Uja that his committee would be involved in pilgrimage later in the year during the canonization of St. Mother Theresa, as well as taking pilgrims to Rome in November this year for the year of mercy declared by Pope Francis. Thus, he solicited the support of the NCPC boss in facilitating visa procurement and other assistance that would make their pilgrimage programme hitch-free.
