Catholic Church leaders meeting in West Africa have called on the faithful to embrace unity rooted in faith as a response to division and social fragmentation in the region.

The call was made at the close of the Week of Christian Unity and the Inter-Territorial Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ITCABIC), which brought together bishops and Church leaders from Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia from January 18 to 25, 2026.

Delivering a homily during the closing Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Makeni, Bishop Bob John Hassan Koroma of the Makeni Diocese urged Christians to become “promoters of unity” and bridge-builders in their families, communities, and nations.

He said the Word of God must be placed at the center of Christian life in order to reshape attitudes and overcome what he described as the “darkness of hatred” that fuels division.

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According to Bishop Koroma, authentic unity begins with a renewed commitment to Scripture. He reminded worshippers that there is “only one Jesus Christ with no rival” and encouraged families to own and read the Bible together, saying this practice can bring about a “renewed Pentecost” marked by love, reconciliation, and peace within homes and society.

The Mass was attended by the Apostolic Nuncio as well as bishops from the three participating countries, underscoring the importance of the gathering at both regional and Vatican levels.

The liturgical celebration marked the conclusion of a weeklong conference that focused on strengthening cooperation among the Catholic Churches of Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia.

A key issue discussed during the conference was a landmark proposal to merge certain Catholic structures across the three countries.

Church leaders said the proposed integration is aimed at improving coordination and effectiveness in carrying out the Church’s evangelizing and pastoral mission across the sub-region.

In his remarks, Bishop Koroma noted that the Word of God serves multiple purposes in the life of the Church and society.

He said it offers comfort and discipline in times of danger, while also providing guidance capable of leading families, associations, and nations “out of gloom” toward hope and renewal.

The conference concluded with a collective call for attentive listening to God’s voice as Church leaders and faithful move forward with efforts toward both spiritual renewal and possible structural integration. Participants emphasized that faith-driven unity remains essential for addressing division and fostering lasting peace in West Africa.