Nigerian Catholic Priest Proposes Pastoral Accompaniment that Embraces Patience and Truthfulness Amid Moral Challenges

In brief

Father Raymond Aina urged Catholic priests to use patience, compassion, and truth when helping people navigate difficult moral questions. Speaking at a Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network event on September 9, Aina told fellow priests to listen to the human stories behind moral dilemmas rather than immediately searching for doctrinal answers.

Aina noted that people rarely bring abstract theological questions to priests, but instead bring personal experiences involving infertility, bereavement, sexuality, corruption, violence, addiction, betrayal, and loss of faith. He observed that many individuals have already faced judgment before seeking help from the Church. He encouraged priests to examine their own reactions to these complicated situations to ensure they are truly listening to the person.