By: Joy Odor/Abuja
The Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna State, His Grace, Most Reverend Dr. Mathew Man’Oso Ndagoso has described the process of the newly ordined Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan, Most Reverend Julius Yakubu Kundi as a model to present to the church of Nigeria, to learn and copy from.
He discloded this in his remarks shortly after consecrated, ordination and installation of the new Bishop held at the New Township Stadium Kafanchan, the headquarters of Jema’a LG Area of Kaduna State, on Thursday, the 20th, February 2020.
Archbishop Ndagoso enjoined the priest and, lay faithful to co-operate with their new Bishop work with him and support him.
“I congratulate you Bishop Julius Kundi. l will like to use this opportunity to express my gratitude witt those of my brother Bishop’s of our province to our priest, the religious and lay faithful of Kafanchan diocese for the manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the installation of the new incoming shapperd.
“Even more so, l am very happy and thanked you sincerely for the warm welcome that you extended to the new ordined bishop, l pray that as you welcome your new Bishop, with joy and ethuesisim, that you also cooperate and work with him and support him.
“Late Bishop Danlami Joseph Bagobiri, have done his own apart and lay a very solid foundation for the diocese and now it is for you and your new Bishop to build on the solid foundation he left behind by working together with your new Bishop.
“Give him chance, give him the opportunity to know you the priest, the lay faithful, the diocese and together, you move the diocese forward.
“How l wish this chosen of the bishops will become the model for the diocesese that anytime there is vacancy for bishop, the priest will conduct themselves well. Most of our problems are caused by the priest but they will put it on the shoulder of the lay faithful to carry for them.
“I am happy as the metropolitan Bishop to say that we have a model to present to the church of Nigeria to learn and copy from us. This is what it means to be a church , the one Holy Catholic and apostolic church.
“I want to thanked my brother Bishop’s from across the Federation for come to Kaduna despite all ills, that your representions are ankwoleged. Your coming have strengthens us, it have encouraged us, it tells us that we are not alone in this fight, that you are with us and your presence strengthens that” Ndagoso stressed.
Earlier in his message during the homily, the Apostolic Papa Nuncio to Nigeria, His Grace, Most Reverned Antonio Guido Filipazzi who consecrated and ordained the new Bishop, Bishop Julius Yakubu Kundi Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan charged Bishop Kundi to lead the diocese with the fear of God.
Papa Nuncio to Nigeria stressed that Catholic Church remains connected and completely dependent on thy Lord Jesus which is why neither Bishop or anyone else should consider themselves urging all to lead as they received from Christ.
He urged members of the Church and the people in general to support the new Bishop through prayers.
Also in his address, the President, Chatholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), His Grace, Most Reverend Augustine Akubeze wh congratulated the new Bishop changed him to consult any of the senior Bhisop when encounter any pastoral challenges for advised.
” We know you’re living in a difficult time and in a difficult place. We know that your faith is being challenge by those who don’t want diversity of religion to exist and we also know that you’re facing persecution.
“The Church grow faster during the time of persecution. The more you persecute the Church, the faster the gospel spread” Bishop Akubeze ended.
He however reminded Catholics faithful to know that they are ambassadors of peace.
While in his acceptance speech, the new Bishop elect, Most Reverend Julius Yakubu Kundi, said he feel grossly inadequate to replace late Bishop Danlami Joseph Bagobiri, describing him as a fearless, eloquent and advocate of social justice.
According to him, giving the general yearnings of Southern Kaduna, it was hard to find a replacement of a great charismatic personality in the calibre of late Bagobiri, adding that his memories still resonates in the heart of the Southern Kaduna people.
“As someone who was an eloquent speaker with a sweet voice in an excellent manner and someone the history of Southern Kaduna can never be completed without putting him in his right place, he was an advocate of social justice and passionate for social development.
“Although, some people consider him as controversial, majority consider him as one who meant well for the geographical jurisdiction of Southern Kaduna. Because of his radical opposition against all structures of injustice against the people of Southern Kaduna, made him become both a spiritual leader and a political advocate,” Kundi said.
“As a spiritual leader, he led his people to God and as a political advocate, he protected his people against the action of cezer. We shall forever remain grateful for all his sacrifices and the numerous accomplishments he made to the Church and Southern Kaduna all through his life as our first Catholic Bishop, Kundi added.
He trusting God to provide the grace for the responsibility ahead and called on the Church to pray for him to achieved greatness in the discharge of his duties.
Bishiop Kundi takes over from late Bishop Danladi Joseph Bagobiri who died at St Gerrard Catholic hospital in Kaduna on 27th February, 2018 after a brief illness.