Nigerian Catholic Scholar Advocates for Servant Leadership to Build a “Vital Church”

Fr. Stan Chu Ilo called for a renewed approach to priestly ministry in Nigeria, urging Church leaders to prioritize spiritual life, servant leadership, pastoral care, and the participation of the faithful. Speaking on September 23 during the fifth Palaver Series session on the renewal of priestly ministry, the Nigerian priest argued that a vital Church is defined by its ability to communicate the life of Christ rather than by its buildings, financial resources, or institutional influence.

Fr. Ilo, an official at the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization, presented on the topic of servant leadership to help build a Church of abundant life. He stated that a vital Church acts as an instrument for the mission of God. In addition to his role at the Dicastery, where he was recently appointed to co-lead the Church of the Sheaves, he serves as the coordinating servant for the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network.