The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Kukah has urged Christian faithful to be men and women of the gospel that the work of God is not only for the clergy and religious.
This he said during his visit to St. Patrick Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambu for Cathedraticum today.
Bishop Kukah said he came for two reasons: "To celebrate the Eucharist with the Faithful in this deanery and to collect what they have for him which would be put into the diocesan purse after which it would be shared to all the parishes in the Diocese".
In his homily in Hausa Language, Bishop Kukah said as catholics we should have at the back of our minds that the Catholic Church is a church founded by Christ and not by any man.
He said "You can as well imagine the church founded by man, if that man is dead, the church also can go to the grave with the founder unlike the Catholic Church that is ongoing even at the death of any pope, bishop or priest."
"I hear people saying we are suffering but know this; since 2000 years ago the church has been a suffering church. Let us not allow anything to distract our faith, our belief."
Earlier, The Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Stephen Ojapa welcomed the Bishop saying: "It is a thing of joy that the people of Malumfashi deanery welcomed vehemently the Bishop of the Diocese Most Rev Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah (to her own Cathedraticum)."
In his closing remark, Fr. Ojapa appreciated Bishop Kukah for his fatherly love and care towards the deanery and prayed God's strength on him.
He acknowledged the religious sisters and expressed his condolence on the demise of Rev Sr Christiana Umeadi.
Fr. Ojapa thanked the faithful at Malumfashi Deanery for their support and contributions in making the cathedraticum a memorable day in the deanery.
Bishop Kukah in his remark appreciated the people of Malumfashi Deanery for their generosity and encouraged them to always be their best and leave the rest for God.
The Bishop said that the work of God is not only for Bishop, Priests, Religious Sisters or Catechist that it is for everybody.
"What are we doing concerning proclaiming the gospel? let us try to proclaim the goodness of christ. I plead with you all, let us be men and women of the Gospel."
As such he wants to kickstart a program in the diocese of which he want everybody to know about the catholic faith.
"I am inviting you all to be men & women of prayer. By the time we start this program, please let us accept it with both hands." - He said.
Translation from Hausa by Mr. Solomon
