NEWS
CYON Writes Open Letter, Urges Catholic Church to Rise Above Partisan Politics, Calls for Unity and Neutrality
The Catholic Youth Association of Nigeria (CYON) has issued a passionate open letter urging the Catholic Church in Nigeria to remain above partisan politics, stressing that the Church’s mission is to proclaim the Gospel, promote justice, defend human dignity, and foster peace rather than be perceived as aligning with any political interest.
In the statement dated August 4, 2026, and addressed to Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill, the association expressed concern that recent public comments by some members of the clergy on political issues have created the impression that all Catholics share the same political preferences.
According to the youth body, such perceptions are misleading, insisting that no individual Cardinal, Bishop, priest, or layperson has the authority to speak for every Catholic in Nigeria on partisan political matters.
CYON emphasized that Nigerian Catholics are diverse in their political convictions and that every Catholic citizen enjoys the constitutional right to vote according to personal conscience after carefully evaluating the issues, candidates, and the overall common good.
The association maintained that, as the umbrella body representing Catholic youths across the country, it does not collectively endorse any political party or presidential candidate, urging Nigerians to respect the freedom of individual Catholics to make independent political choices.
The youth body also appealed to Church leaders to exercise caution whenever making public comments on partisan political issues, noting that their moral authority carries enormous influence among the faithful, who primarily look to them for spiritual guidance rather than political direction.
It argued that the Church’s credibility is best preserved when it remains a father to all people, irrespective of their political affiliations.
CYON further called for a clear distinction between the Church’s prophetic responsibility to speak on moral and social issues and the personal political opinions of individual members of the clergy, stressing that such opinions should not be interpreted as the official position of the Catholic Church or of all Nigerian Catholics.
Reaffirming its commitment to the unity of the Church, the association prayed that the Catholic Church in Nigeria would continue to unite rather than divide, evangelize rather than polarize, and remain a beacon of hope, charity, and truth for all Nigerians.
The statement concluded with prayers for God to grant Nigeria wisdom, peace, justice, and leaders who are genuinely committed to serving the common good.
The open letter was signed by the National Executive Council of the Catholic Youth Association of Nigeria (CYON) on behalf of diocesan and parish youth associations a
cross the country.