Catholic Diocese of Zaria, Nigeria Appeal Apr 9/10

04-03-2016Weekly ReflectionFr. Lawrence Bakut and Fr. Barnabas Duniya

The Diocese of Zaria, Nigeria was erected on March 3, 2001 via promulgation by Blessed John Paul II with Bishop George J. Dodo appointed as first bishop. He was here in Flagstaff in December 2010 and early this month.

The Diocese of Zaria is located in Kaduna State of Nigeria with the majority of the population as Muslims. Zaria town has a total population of about 1.8m people and out of this 68,000 are Catholics.

Recently there was a post-election mayhem in Northern Nigeria which saw many people killed, maimed, houses burnt including places of worship. The Diocese of Zaria lost 5 churches, 3 rectories, 6 cars belonging to priests in those parishes. Through your generous contributions in the previous years, some of these churches and rectories have been rebuilt including St. Augustine of Hippo which was rededicated on November 1, 2015 by Archbishop Augustine Kasuijjz, Papal Nuncio to Nigeria. For this we are eternally grateful to you all.

However, the diocese has been grappling with projects ranging from building schools, clinics and vocational training centers to assist poor rural people of the diocese. There are many young people coming forward to be trained as priests but for the cost of training the diocese cannot admit them. There is a vocation boom and we are happy to ordain young men every year. However, we need to train more when we have the financial resources to do so.

The priority of Bishop Dodo is in the following areas and more; training of seminarians for the priesthood, building of schools, clinics, construction of wells, new churches and rectories. The work of evangelization to the poor people cannot go on unless we have the funds to accomplish all these set objectives.

It is for this reason, that we do this appeal to assist the diocese to realize them. We hereby solicit your kind donations and support to enable the Diocese of Zaria to carry out evangelization to the poor people entrusted to it by the Church and God, for the glory of his name.

Envelopes will be made available in the pews. All donations can be made out to the Diocese of Zaria. God Bless you for giving your donation.

Bishop George J. Dodo has approved this message and we are thankful for your initiative especially to the Pastor, Father Chauncey Winkler for this gesture of goodness. May God continue to shower you with abundant blessings.

Yours in the Lord's service,
Fr. Lawrence Bakut
Fr. Barnabas Duniya

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