Morning Session – General Assembly for Vision and Planning
Catholic Diocese of Katsina
Date: 23rd April 2025
Venue: St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, Gidan Fada, Malumfashi
The Morning Session of the General Assembly for Vision and Planning of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina commenced with deep reflection and profound insights, setting the tone for a transformative ecclesial engagement.
Welcome Address – Rev. Fr. Cyril Ibe
Fr. Cyril Ibe, in his welcome remarks, expressed gratitude to the delegates and dignitaries for honouring the call to participate. He described the General Assembly as “the democratisation of Church decisions,” urging all present to engage with full dedication and openness. He also thanked the Local Ordinary, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Mamman Musa, for facilitating this significant gathering.
Introductory Remarks – His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Mamman Musa.
In his address, the Bishop framed the Assembly as a sacred moment of thanksgiving and visioning. He acknowledged the African Church’s dynamic contribution to the universal Church and encouraged participants to see culture not as an obstacle but a pathway to Christ. He challenged Catechists and Priests to deliver the Gospel in ways that deeply resonate with Christ’s message. Emphasizing that true strength lies not in numbers or structures but in the unity and witness of love, he called for a deepened sense of mission and fraternity.
Keynote Speech – Rev. Fr. Prof. Peter Bauna Tanko
Delivering the keynote address, Rev. Fr. Prof. Peter Bauna Tanko spoke on the indispensable role of a Diocesan Council in governance, evangelization, and the promotion of the common good, drawing from Catholic Social Teaching.
He emphasized that the Diocese must go beyond prayer to embrace sacrifice, collaboration, and resilience. Addressing the historical and ongoing persecution of the Church, he called for a renewed model of evangelization in response to modern threats to Christian values.
Highlighting the Jubilee Year of Hope as declared by the Holy Father, he encouraged the faithful never to despair, stressing that hope leads to trust in God, moral clarity, future orientation, and bold discipleship.
In addressing the unique context of the new Diocese, Fr. Tanko called for:
Cultural sensitivity
Security and resilience
Interreligious dialogue
Monitoring and evaluation structures
Persistent prayer and unity
He proposed a diocesan slogan:
“Katsina Diocese – United in Christ!”
Supporting his call for unity, he drew from scriptures:
Support and encouragement – Heb. 10:24-25
Resource sharing and conflict resolution – Matt. [passage incomplete]
Inclusivity and collective responsibility – 1 Cor. 12:12–27
Spiritual and moral foundation – Mic. 6:8
This session concluded with a renewed spirit of purpose and commitment among participants, anchoring the Diocese’s journey in vision, faith, and unity.
By Sir Aluko Stephen (Ksji)