Pope’s exclusion of Nigeria, others from Africa visit fundamental omission – Intersociety

The International Society for Civil Rights and Rule of Law, Intersociety, has criticized the exclusion of Nigeria from Pope Leo's visit to some African countries. The organization described this development as a fundamental omission, expressing sadness over the exclusion of several "Super Catholic/Christian States" including Congo DRC, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

The statement, signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Head of Intersociety, among others, noted that the visit only covers countries such as Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Intersociety emphasized that the excluded countries have a combined Catholic population of approximately 141 million, with Ethiopia being Africa's third-largest Christian state with 77 million Christians.

The organization stressed the need for reforms, including the appointment of more Cardinal-Electors for certain countries to strengthen and save Africa's largest but severely threatened Catholicism and Christianity. Intersociety also expressed hope that Pope Leo's preaching of World Peace does not translate to neglecting the plight of Christians and other peaceful religions, especially in the face of global Islamic Jihadists.

The rights group further noted that the excluded countries face more significant threats from jihadist attacks, with Algeria having only 4,200 Catholics and Cameroon having 9 million Catholics. Intersociety argued that the five most threatened and attacked African countries should have been included in the Pope's itinerary, as their Christian populations are in dire need of encouragement and strengthening.

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