Catholic Fidelity of St. Pius X Mission, Nigeria

Annual Report – Year Ending 2025

(District Superior: Rev. Fr. Michael Nnalue Chigbata)


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Introduction

With hearts lifted in thanksgiving, we present this Annual Report of the Catholic Fidelity of St. Pius X Mission, Nigeria, for the year 2025. Our apostolate stands firm in its mission of restoring the Traditional Latin Mass and the fullness of Catholic tradition throughout Nigeria and Africa, in fidelity to our guiding motto:

> “Instaurare omnia in Christo – To restore all things in Christ.”



Despite the many trials facing our nation, our priests, faithful, and benefactors have labored with zeal to preserve the faith handed down to us, offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and administering the sacraments in the ancient and venerable rite of the Church.


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Structure of Our Apostolate

The Nigerian Mission presently serves four Traditional Latin Mass Chapels:

1. Maria Virgo Fidelis Chapel – Anaku
 Priest-in-Charge: Fr. Christopher Nduefuna


2. St. Raphael’s Traditional Latin Mass Chapel – Onitsha


3. St. Gabriel’s Traditional Latin Mass Chapel – Asaba
 Priest-in-Charge (for both): Fr. Michael Nnalue Chigbata


4. St. Michael’s Traditional Latin Mass Chapel – Owerri Ebeiri, Orlu
 Priest-in-Charge: Fr. Joseph Onuorah



The District Superior for Nigeria and overall coordinator of the mission is Fr. Michael Nnalue Chigbata.


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Gratitude and Appreciation

Our foremost gratitude goes to Almighty God for His merciful protection, providence, and grace throughout this challenging year.

We extend heartfelt thanks to all friends, families, and benefactors whose kindness has sustained our apostolate. Through their generosity, Fr. Michael Chigbata successfully underwent eye surgery, a testimony of God’s providence through charitable hands.

We also appreciate the faithful of our Traditional Chapels who contributed selflessly, enabling Fr. Joseph Onuorah to purchase an additional portion of land behind St. Michael’s Chapel, Orlu, where the new church building is steadily progressing.


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Highlights of the Year

6th Anniversary Celebration:
On February 9, 2025, we celebrated the 6th anniversary of our apostolate with the official opening and blessing of the newly built Grotto of Maria Virgo Fidelis at our Priory in Anaku. It was a day of grace, joy, and renewal.

Feast of Maria Virgo Fidelis:
The first official celebration of the Feast Day of our Priory and Chapel, Maria Virgo Fidelis, took place on September 8, 2025. This feast now stands as a permanent annual spiritual gathering for our faithful across Nigeria.



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Our Prospects

Looking forward, the Catholic Fidelity of St. Pius X Mission Nigeria seeks to strengthen its foundation and expand its apostolic reach through the following projects:

1. Construction of a Traditional Chapel at Anaku, our Mission’s cradle.


2. Erection of a Generalate House at Nteje, which will serve as the central residence for priests in Nigeria and Africa, a formation house for seminarians, and a retreat center for the faithful across the nation.


3. Building of Rectories at St. Michael’s Orlu and St. Gabriel’s Asaba, where our priests presently reside in rented apartments.



Each of these goals reflects our desire to make the Traditional Catholic life more stable, visible, and accessible to the faithful.


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Our Challenges

Our apostolate faces numerous temporal and spiritual challenges:

While we have acquired land at Anaku, the property still requires development for sustainability and accommodation.

Our Onitsha Chapel remains temporarily closed due to loss of the rented venue and other reasons known internally. This has deeply affected our mission, for Onitsha is the cradle of Catholicism in Nigeria, where many of us first encountered the Traditional Latin Mass. We cannot afford to lose this vital city for the cause of Tradition.

We are grateful to Mr. Anthony Pointing and his brother for their support in fencing the Nteje land, now the site of our Generalate under construction. Nteje’s central location between Awka (the capital) and Onitsha (the spiritual heart of the Southeast) makes it strategic for future apostolic stability.



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Mission Amidst National Unrest

Our work continues amid grave political instability and growing insecurity in Nigeria. The threat of Islamic jihadist insurgency looms large, particularly against Christian communities. Many rural and urban regions in the Southeast and Southwest are no longer safe. Armed groups disguised as herdsmen terrorize farms and villages, kidnapping, destroying, and killing with little restraint.

The choice of Nteje as our central base was made not only for pastoral convenience but also for safety and strategic accessibility, away from the increasing dangers in the interior. Even Bishop Paul Morgan, during his pastoral visit last year, witnessed firsthand the precarious situation of our faithful.


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Faith and Charity in Action

In these trying times, our priests courageously continue their apostolate, bringing the sacraments to scattered and suffering faithful. Many of our parishioners are farmers who now struggle to cultivate their land due to fear of attacks. From our limited means, we offer financial aid and relief to prevent starvation and despair.

Truly, ours is a mission in need—materially poor but spiritually rich in faith, hope, and charity. We rely wholly on Divine Providence and the generosity of friends and benefactors across the world who share in our vision of restoring Catholic tradition in Africa.


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Conclusion

Nigeria is undergoing one of the most turbulent periods in her history. Yet, amid darkness, the light of the Traditional Faith continues to shine through the steadfast efforts of our priests and faithful.

The Catholic Fidelity of St. Pius X Mission, Nigeria stands determined to persevere, evangelize, and rebuild the Church’s sacred heritage—brick by brick, soul by soul.

We commend our work to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Virgo Fidelis, and invoke the patronage of St. Pius X, St. Michael the Archangel, and all the saints who fought for the truth of the Holy Mass.

> “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” – Psalm 126:1



Signed:
Rev. Fr. Michael Nnalue Chigbata
District Superior,
Catholic Fidelity of St. Pius X Mission – Nigeria