In the Diocese of Maiguduri, the partnership offered through MCP is greatly needed. Located in northeast Nigeria, the relatively young diocese has seen its fair share of suffering. The most recent of which began in 2009, the same year Bishop Oliver Doeme Dashe was installed as the diocese’s fourth bishop. Before he had time to settle in as the new shepherd, his diocese was thrust into a whirlwind of violence.

The fountainhead of the hatred is Boko Haram, an Islamic sect which strives to eradicate Christianity from existence. The sect’s widespread and lengthy destruction has cast a dark shadow over the 60-year-old diocese.

During the height of the violence in 2017, over half of the diocesan territory was under the control of Boko Haram. The militant group captured 25 priests and forced 45 religious sisters to flee their convents. Hundreds of catechists left out of fear, but a staggering 80,000 lay faithful fled their ancestral homes to escape the possibility of death.

Since the beginning of the destruction, the diocese has lost more than 200 churches, had many structures razed, and seen most of the minor seminary as well as two mission hospitals burned to the ground.

More than 1,000 Catholics have been killed, over half of the 276 girls abducted from a boarding school in Chibak have not been rescued, and more than 15,000 Nigerian children have been made orphans. Through all the heartache, though, the diocese works to assist all in its care, including the roughly 5,000 widows the carnage has left behind.

The task to simply persevere in carrying out the Church’s mission in such circumstances can seem daunting, but the annual MCP appeal offers hope. The tangible and spiritual solidarity made possible by the appeal provides Catholics not only in the Diocese of Maiguduri but throughout the world the ability to live their faith and fulfill the universal call to become disciples of Christ. Let us all come together to answer the call as one Body in Christ.

Missionary Cooperation Plan Appeal

June 20-21, 2026

Each diocese in the United States selects missionary dioceses, religious congregations, or lay missionary organizations to support during the Missionary Cooperation Plan Appeal.

Locally, the support of missionary groups is coordinated by Father Raymond J. Remke, diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, with the endorsement of Bishop Raica.

Through the generous self-giving of many faithful throughout the diocese, these missionary dioceses and other evangelizing groups receive help to support their ongoing work in sharing the Gospel through various projects. Past funds have gone to help in a variety of ways from the construction of school structures and water wells to the payment of tuition for seminarians. Every dollar is extremely important, especially for the dioceses facing desperate situations, as seen in the Diocese of Maiduguri.

No amount is too small to make an enormous difference. All funds collected through the appeal are sent directly to the chosen missionary groups. This year’s appeal, which will take place the weekend of June 20-21, will support the projects of the Diocese of Aguascalientes in Mexico, the Diocese of Gallup in New Mexico, the Diocese of Irinjalakuda in India, the Diocese of Kumba in Cameroon, the Diocese of Maiduguri in Nigeria, the Diocese of Matagalpa in Nicaragua, the Diocese of Warangal in India, and the Consolata Sisters.