Highland parishes under St. Mary’s RC Beauly have raised £2,697 in support of persecuted Christians in Nigeria, in what became both a celebration and a concrete act of solidarity.
The appeal was initiated by parishioners during the 10th anniversary of the ministry of Fr. Max Nwosu and Fr. James Anyaegbu, who came from Nigeria and have faithfully served seven Highland Catholic communities over the past decade. In gratitude for their pastoral service, the parishioners chose not simply to offer words of appreciation, but to make a meaningful donation for the benefit of suffering Christians in Nigeria.
A raffle draw was conducted during a Ceilidh organised in honour of the priests at Kilmorack Community Hall Beauly, a venue that carries special significance. When Fr. Max and Fr. James first arrived in Beauly ten years ago, they were welcomed with a Ceilidh in that same hall. Returning there for this anniversary celebration made the evening deeply nostalgic, while also purposeful. The result was £2,697 raised for Christians facing violence and displacement in northern Nigeria.
The funds were entrusted to Faith-Chat Platform Charity Initiative, founded by Fr. James Anyaegbu to support evangelisation, pastoral care, and humanitarian outreach, particularly among vulnerable Christian communities. The donation has already been put into action. In collaboration with JDPC Kaduna (Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Kaduna), food supplies are being distributed to more than 400 affected families in northern Nigeria who have suffered attacks and displacement.
While addressing the gathering, both priests expressed sincere gratitude to the parishioners for their solidarity with their roots. They acknowledged that this gesture went beyond financial support; it demonstrated genuine care not only for persecuted Christians in Nigeria, but also for the heritage and background of their priests. In response, Fr. Max and Fr. James reaffirmed their commitment to continue serving the Highland communities with dedication, pastoral charity, and faithful ministry.
This initiative reflects the strong bond between the Highland Catholic communities and the homeland of their priests. It also demonstrates how gratitude can be transformed into generosity, linking Beauly to northern Nigeria in prayer, solidarity, and practical charity.
The parishioners’ gesture stands as both a celebration of ten years of faithful ministry and a tangible expression of compassion for those who continue to suffer for their faith.
