What We Do
The Services of the Church to the Society
The Derpartment is an arm of the Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria for interfacing with the wider society – Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The department advances the missionary mandate of the local Church through four overarching units: Education, Health, Family and Human Life, and Justice and Peace Developmetn Committee.
Education Unit
The Family and Human Life Unit coordinates and facilities the work of the individuals and groups within the Catholic Church in the protection, defense and promotion of human life from conception to natural death and in the promotion of marriage between a man and a woman, family values and ethical living. In this task, the unit is in regular touch with local and international agencies which are equally committed to the values of life.
Family and Human life Unit
The Family and Human Life Unit coordinates and facilities the work of the individuals and groups within the Catholic Church in the protection, defense and promotion of human life from conception to natural death and in the promotion of marriage between a man and a woman, family values and ethical living. In this task, the unit is in regular touch with local and international agencies which are equally committed to the values of life.
Health Unit
The Health Unit coordinates and facilitates the activities of the various parishes, dioceses and religious Congregations in hospitals, mobile clinics, HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support, etc. The unit also has the task of developing and facilitating the implementation of the national Catholic Health Policy for the Church in the country. It also supervises the church-owned organization contributing to the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme for Catholics in Nigeria. The unit also interfaces with governments and development partners in the areas of health advocacy, policy dialogue and legislative oversight.
JDPC Unit
The JDPC Unit coordinates and facilitate at the national level the involvement of the Catholic Church and Catholic in Nigeria in the promotion of a just, equitable, democratic and peaceful society. It also coordinates the church’s efforts in agricultural and rural development. The unit organizes seminars and workshops for the training of Church functionaries at various levels in social analysis, political awareness, civic education, prisoners’ welfare, conflict resolution and building of a strong and virile society. In this task the unit is in frequent touch with partner agencies within and outside Nigeria.
The Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (Caritas Nigeria).
Another area wher the impact of the Church is evidently felt in the society in trought the activities of the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (Caritas Nigeria). Caritas Nigeria coordinates the Church’s efforts in relief services in moments of crises and emergencies. The unit source funds and organizes the distribution of relief materials to refugees, displaced persons and victims of sundry crises. In recent years, this agency has substantially assisted local Church workers in various parts of Nigeria to reach out to victims of ethnic and religious conflicts across the country.
Projects
Below are some of the projects to be carried out by the department or some of the respective units for the year 2020.
- Education Project
- Family and Human Life Project
- Health Project
- JDPC Project
- Departmental Project
Programmes
Below are some of the programmes carried out by the respective units for the year 2019
- Education Commission Summit in Jos – Education Unit
- International Conference on Family in Ghana – FHL Unit
- National Catholic Health Summit in Abuja- Health Unit
- Monitoring the 2019 General Elections across the Federation – JDPC Unit
