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Our attention has drawn to a misleading article on the purported Islamization of Catholic Bishops by one Pastor Amos Abella Musa of the Redeemed Church of Christ in Bauchi, Bauchi State which is making the rounds on social media platforms. The piece is actually not worth responding to because it demonstrates the lack of depth of what Christianity is all about and the role of the Church in interfaith relations.

His words: “No President in the world has the kind of power the Nigerian president has and as such, no President in the world can be as irresponsible as the Nigerian President. His power is so much that he can give oil bloc to his girlfriend and many others. You thus can’t be a man of honour and live in a country like Nigeria and not be angry."There is a very high tendency for any Nigerian President to be irresponsible due to the extent of power he wields, Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, has said.

The Vatican Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria has commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III for his commitment to the peaceful existence of adherents of all religions in Nigeria.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria rose from its second plenary today with a call on the Federal Government to ensure that in the pursuit of national interest, it should be guided by the rule of law and respect for human dignity and development.

At the on-going Conference of the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, the prelates were sent out in groups to visit some parishes in the Sokoto, Kebbi and Gusau Deaneries to have a feel of the environment where the faithful are living out their faith.

“Enough of your deceit” is the terse message of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria to Nigerian politicians who specialize in propagating conflicts along tribal, ethnic and religious lines.

I thought if informed persons get into leadership in any given organization, the outlook of such organizations will certainly improve and attract attention. The same could be said of religious organizations. With persons roundly educated in the tenets of their faith in leadership positions, understanding of their followers will also be rich and deep and tolerant of non-adherents of that faith.

The Vatican has ordered the suspension of activities of the congregation of Apostles of Jesus, placing the society under a Pontifical Commission of inquiry.

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Archdiocese, Most Rev Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins has marked the 6th anniversary of his installation with media briefing on Saturday 4th August, 2018.

See full text below:

The Catholic Bishops in Africa on Sunday, July 29 officially launched the Golden Jubilee celebration of the establishment of their association known as the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) by unveiling the Jubilee Logo and reciting for the first time the Jubilee prayer.

“As we launch the golden jubilee year of SECAM, there are a lot of troubling situations and conditions of need that characterise the continent of Africa, one of which is the temptation of materialism,” the second Vice President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha (South Africa) said Sunday, July 29 at the launch of SECAM Golden Jubilee in Uganda.

A total of 46 candidates were administered the Sacrament of Confirmation yesterday by His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Matthew H Kukah at Holy Family Catholic Cathedral, Sokoto.

While officiating at the Mass, Bishop Kukah said that from then onward, children whose parents fail to put up appearance, will not be administered the Sacrament of confirmation.

He expressed displeasure that many Parents only prefer to celebrate their children during graduation at the end of their academics. This he said amounts to misplacement of priority.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah has paid a solidarity visit to the Internally Displaced Persons in Gandi, Rabat Local Government Area of Sokoto State. He was there to sympathise with the remaining 4,900 displaced persons who survived the attack by bandits during which not less than 76 persons lost their lives.

Bishop Kukah was accompanied on the visit by some members of the Catholic Community from Sokoto as well as the Zonal and Sector Commanders of the FRSC.

The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, under the stewardship of Most Rev. Dr. Matthew H. Kukah, donated relief materials to the displaced persons in Jibia, Katsina State.

The delegation led by Rev. Fr. Lawrence  Emehel (JDPC Director)  & Very Rev. Fr.  Eugene Nwachukwu (Dean, Katsina Deanery).

State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) received the materials on behalf of Gov. Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State at the camp premises which had about 1,500 displaced persons.

The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto collaborated with Christian Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria, Sokoto Chapter and the Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital Chapter – to host a three day free medical outreach in Sokoto Metro.

Commencing on July 4th, the surgical screening exercise took place at Holy Family Clinic and Maternity, Sokoto.

During the flag-off of the outreach, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Matthew H Kukah encouraged everyone to take advantage of the Outreach because it’s a great privilege for the people of Sokoto.

THREATS TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIA
(Keynote Address by Matthew Hassan KUKAH, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, at a One Day Conference of the Catholic Men’s Guild, Archdiocese of Lagos, held at MUSON Centre, on June 16th, 2018)
Christianity lies in achieving greatness in the face of a world’s hatred…
St Ignatius of Antioch

Thursday evening 31st May, 2018 saw Sokoto Metropolis enveloped by dense sand-laden cloud .The sparse shrubs and trees dotting the Sokoto landscape were shaken to their roots by the attendant scary wind. Roofs shook! The not -quite strong gave way. Human and vehicular traffic stood still. Then,  opened the heavens blessing the thirsty landscape with rainfall. The night , though, dusty was cool and element. 

The bishop of a diocese is required to make this visit every five years, as a sign of his communion with the Holy See and in order to report on the condition of his diocese.

With gratitude to God almighty, Sokoto Diocese laid to rest one of her illustrious Son, Father and Teacher, Mallam Emmanuel Musa Argungu on Saturday 21st April, 2018 at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Cemetery Malunfashi.

Bishop Matthew Hassan KUKAH, Sokoto Diocese

Cathedraticum is a yearly event constituted by the church to celebrate with the Bishop.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah has emphasised on the need for intensive evangelisation.

With gratitude and total submission to the will of God, the remains of Late Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Ike Ndubuisi who was found dead at his residence-St Martin's De- Porres Catholic Church, Katsina while praying his Rosary in the early hours of Friday, 16th February 2018 were laid to rest on Friday, 23rd February 2018 at Our Lady of Fatima, Gusau.

(Lenten Message to the Priests, Religious and Faithful of the Diocese of Sokoto by His Lordship, Bishop Matthew Hassan KUKAH)