The Church and National Development: Towards a Philosophy of Collaboration

In many parts of Nigeria, many Christian Dioceses are celebrating their centenary- hundred years of evangelization within the particular area. As this has been the tag of several diocesan celebrations in the past five years, it has become relevant to examine the contribution of the Church to Nigeria's national development. The present study, using Catholic Church as a point of reference examines the contribution of the Catholic Church in the area of social justice, humanitarian services, education, morality, economic development and peace and her role as a prophet and the conscience of the nation. The result of this study will hopefully unveil the enormous contribution of the Catholic Church to national development. The paper further observes the need of the Church to constantly renew herself and her objectives as an institution. It recommends the inevitable need for the government to fully support the Church for an enhanced and sustainable national development.