In continuation of his relentless teachings on the nature of Episcopacy in the Catholic Church, the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Antonio Guido Filipazzi, preaching at the Episcopal ordination of Msgr. Isaac Bundepuun Dugu in Katsina-Ala, once again emphasised the need for the people of God to understand the preeminent place of a Bishop in the mystery of the Church. While quoting the letter by St. Ignatius, the Bishop of Antioch which indicates that there can be no Church where there is no Bishop, he went on to emphasise that “the office of the Bishop is not one of the possible forms of leadership in the Diocese, but it is absolutely essential.” The preacher, who was also the principal consecrator of the new Bishop, lamented before the great multitude of worshippers that besieged the Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala that, unfortunately “when there is an appointment, or choice of a person for an office or a succession, both in society and in the Church in Nigeria, it seems that the most important criterion of judgement, indeed almost the only, is that of the person’s provenance from a territory, from an ethnic group, from a community.”
While not discountenancing the consideration for provenance, the Pope’s envoy reinforced that “when she (the Church) chooses her Shepherds, while also considering these elements, the Church verifies their human, intellectual, moral, spiritual and pastoral qualities. Therefore, it is not enough that a candidate comes from a particular area, ethnic group, diocese or State to make him suitable for the episcopal office.” Additionally, Archbishop Filipazzi strongly condemned this manner of thinking and acting which is at times witnessed in the Church in Nigeria, as a mentality “contrary to her (the Church) being a community without borders and divisions, as the Catholic Church is and must be.” He exhorted the people to eschew such attitude, warning that such disposition “breeds divisions and oppositions, which are grave sins and cause damage, even sowing death and destruction.” Going further, the prelate recalled the words of the Vatican II Fathers: “in order to keep the Gospel forever whole and alive within the Church, the Apostles left Bishops as their successors.”
By implication, to be the true Church of Christ, what is most importantly necessary is that the one chosen as Bishop must come from the true line of Bishops who are successors of the Apostles, who in turn were sent by Christ.” Moreover, the papal envoy reminded the new Bishop that his primary duty is to promote unity in the Church and in the world, to unite and lead the people to Christ, rather than “gather the people around his person and his ideas.” The crucial areas of unity must include “apostolic teaching (unity of faith), prayer and especially the Eucharistic Liturgy (unity of worship), common life with the concrete acts that follow from it (unity of charity).” The Bishop is the visible sign of unity of the particular Church, of the universal Church and of humanity. He concluded that when the Church is divided, the world cannot be united. Representing the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, the metropolitan of Abuja Archdiocese, congratulated Bishop Dugu and welcomed him as a member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. He re-echoed the points made by the Nuncio in his sermon, calling the people to shun ethnocentrism and seek for peace and unity in the diocese. He also drew the Governor’s attention to the deplorable road from Gboko to Katsina-Ala urging him to take necessary action.
On behalf of the people, the revered Tor of Tiv land, Professor James Ayatse, expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for the choice of Bishop Dugu. Agreeing with the Apostolic Nuncio, he acknowledged that since the Bishop is not a politician nor a traditional ruler, he can be chosen from any part of the country. He therefore assured the Holy Father of full acceptance of the new Bishop and called on the people to cooperate with him. The Tor then showered blessings on the new Shepherd and wished him successful Episcopacy. On his part, the newly ordained Bishop of Katsina-Ala was full of gratitude to God for choosing him to serve His people in such an exalted position. While praying for his happy repose, Bishop Dugu paid homage to his predecessor, Most Rev. Peter Adoboh, for his enormous sacrifice as the first Bishop of Katsina-Ala diocese and for the solid foundation he laid for the diocese. He thanked the Nuncio, the Bishops, the priests and religious of the diocese and all those present.
He also thanked the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom and the paramount ruler of Tiv land, Professor James Ayatse and all dignitaries of Church and State for their distinguished presence. Before giving the final blessing at the close of the Holy Mass, the new Shepherd of Katsina- Ala appointed Very Rev. Fr. Godwin Aôndohemba Bagu as his Vicar General, while also releasing a document titled “Vision” in which he enunciated his plan for the diocese.
