Catholics are a minority amongst the predominantly Protestant Mwaghavul people in Nigeria. Misconceptions about the Catholic Church are common. Richard is a seminarian determined to reverse these misconceptions despite the opposition of his village and some family members to him becoming a priest.

By ACN Staff

“There is something about the crucifix that really makes me happy and draws me closer to God. I think, here is somebody who died for me, how can I disappoint that person?” – Richard

A young man entering the seminary is often a moment of great joy for his friends and families. Sadly, this is not always the case and can even cause splits in families and the loss of friends. Unfortunately, this was the experience for Alewa Richard Luka from Plateau State in central Nigeria. Richard had a good relationship with his family and was close with his friends. This changed when Richard announced that God was calling him to enter the seminary.

Richard felt that his entire village was against his decision. What bothered him most was that his friends abandoned him. He explains more:

“What bothered me most was my friends. These are people who grew up with me, only sleep used to separate us. But they all ran away.”

There was opposition to his decision to enter the seminary within his own family. Richard’s family were Christians, with his immediate family being Catholics and his extended family of uncles and aunts being Protestants. The Protestants in the family were tolerant of the Catholic family member’s faith, but the idea of Richard becoming a celibate priest was a step too far for them. Richard believes that they were unhappy with his decision as they thought his example might lead his younger brothers also to enter the seminary.

Richard’s parents supported his decision, but the rift in the family was very painful. The separation even continued when Richard’s father died. His relatives acted coldly to him and tried to pressure him to leave the seminary, saying it was his responsibility to get married and take care of his family as the oldest son.

Richard managed to resist their pressure, but they brought up the issue again at the funeral of one of Richard’s uncles. This opposition to his vocation within his family is something that pains Richard:

“I am hoping and praying that someday they will change their minds. Sometimes I don't feel like going home, and I have more peace in the seminary, because nobody tries to change my life.”

Richard sees being a missionary to his people as a key component of his vocation. Amongst Richard’s ethnic group, the Mwaghavul, Catholics are a minority. Most of the people are Christians but are either members of Protestant denominations or go “non-denominational” independently run churches.

Catholicism is misunderstood by most of the Mwaghavul. The Catholic Church is open to everyone who will accept the Gospel no matter their past. For this reason, when Catholic missionaries arrived amongst the Mwaghavul, outcasts from the Protestant groups such as men with two wives and alcoholics joined the Catholic Church as a place to find forgiveness and redemption. This had the unintended consequence of many non-Catholics regarding the Catholic Church as “the church of drunkards”.

Richard is determined to reverse this misconception and show the people what the Church truly is:

“It is not a Church built on drinking alcohol, it is a Church that is open to everyone. And that goes back to Christ, because when Christ came, He did not die only for the Good, but for everybody, and that is the mission of the Church.”

Richard is also determined to give the people hope. Nigeria suffers from poverty, violent crime, and terrorism. Richard told us that people have faith, but some fall into the mistaken belief that God does not care about them. For this reason, many people move away from practising their faith and fall back to traditional magic.

Vocations are flourishing in Nigeria. However, the Nigerian Church does not have the means to support every vocation, meaning the support provided by Aid to the Church in Need is vital for many seminarians like Richard to follow God’s call.

ACN supports seminarians like Richard all over the world. Please consider donating if you would like to help us in our work.