Bishop Wilfred Anagbe urges Nigerians to embrace conversion, holiness, and courage in faith as Christ’s light leads them into 2026.
Newsroom (02/01/2026 Gaudium Press ) As the New Year dawned across Nigeria, Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi called the faithful to a deeper spiritual awakening — one rooted not in fleeting resolutions but in the enduring call to conversion and holiness. In his New Year 2026 message, shared with ACI Africa on January 1, Bishop Anagbe urged Christians to renew their commitment to courageous faith, describing discipleship as “both an immediate decision and a lifelong journey.”
Addressing the faithful on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the Claretian missionary began his reflection with gratitude. “Happy New Year 2026,” he said, commending individuals and communities who “made 2025 a year to remember.” Yet his message swiftly turned inward — from external accomplishments to the spiritual demands of the year ahead. “Progress does not come by chance,” he noted, emphasizing that the Church’s achievements flow from collective effort and divine grace alike.
For Bishop Anagbe, the heart of renewal lies in conversion. Quoting spiritual wisdom, he reminded believers that “conversion is the matter of a moment and holiness is the work of a lifetime.” In a nation burdened by moral uncertainty and social tension, he situated this call within Nigeria’s broader reality — a landscape, he said, where faith must shine against encroaching darkness. “We have seen Christ the light that comes into the world,” he reflected, urging the people of God to “become light for those around us.”
His message resonated beyond the boundaries of Makurdi Diocese, touching the wider Church across Africa — a continent often marked by insecurity, poverty, and resilience. In a prayerful tone, Bishop Anagbe asked that “no form of darkness – my sins or those of others – overpower this light.” Faith, he insisted, is not passive endurance but active transformation rooted in divine encounter.
Turning to Mary, the Mother of God, Bishop Anagbe invoked her as the model of perseverance and obedience to God’s will. “May her love bind us to her Son’s Cross,” he prayed. “May we not lack the faith, nor the courage, nor the daring to carry out the will of Jesus in our lives.” In these words, the bishop framed Mary not as a distant figure of piety, but as a living guide for believers navigating uncertainty and hope.
Looking ahead, Bishop Anagbe spoke with conviction that 2026 would be a year marked by “great testimonies of God’s benevolence and grace.” His confidence, however, rested not on human achievement but on divine mercy. As the faithful across Nigeria stepped into the new year, his message was clear: conversion begins today, holiness lasts a lifetime, and every disciple is called to shine as a beacon of hope in a world that needs the light of Christ.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
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