Included in the proceedings of the second Vatican Council is the appreciation of the missionary nature of the Church, the Church’s attempt to bridge the walls of division that has rocked Christendom, as well as promote peaceful relationship between Christianity and other non-Christian religions. These goals which the Church seeks to achieve are beautifully presented in various documents of Vatican II such as the Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra aetate; Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis redintegratio; Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity, Ad gentes divinitus, amid others. Sequel to this has been the application of the directives of Vatican II by the Universal Church, evident in the various administrative policies and institutions created by dioceses to manage issues that relate to the mission of the Church. The Church in Nigeria is not exempted from this herculean task of the Universal Church. Hence, the establishment of the Department of Mission and Dialogue in the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, aside various sub-organizations that promote mission and the course of mission.

The Seminary of Saints Peter and Paul, Bodija, Ibadan was privileged to host the delegates of this department led by Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua and Rev. Fr. Joseph Nomhwangwe SMA, on the 29th of November, 2017. The outcome of this visit was a discursive session with the seminary community (priests and seminarians) on the importance of the Church’s mission and the exigencies required of us as priests and religious. Indeed, the event, which lasted from 8:30a.m. – 11:50a.m. spurred the spirit of all present towards a better appreciation of the missionary activities in the Church.