Nigeria

Despite its important oil production, Nigeria remains a relatively poor country, in part because of rampant corruption. The population is comprised of Muslims, Protestants (in majority Anglicans), Catholics, and Animists.

Evangelization

The Portuguese reached the city of Lagos in the year 1472, but the first missionaries were Spaniards, then Italians. Their efforts did not produce many conversions. Evangelization began to show results in 1861, with the French missionary fathers of Lyons, and then with the missionaries of the Holy Spirit, two very Marian congregations.

Marian movements that made a difference

In addition to religious congregations, the Marian movements developed strongly: the Legion of Mary, and the "Block Rosaries" that brought neighbors to pray the Rosary together, along with Bible study.

__________

Attilio GALLI, Madre della Chiesa dei Cinque Continenti, Ed Segno, Udine, 1997, p. 773-785