The Catholic Diocese of Yola, under the leadership of Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza, is undertaking significant preparations to host the 2027 Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.
During the annual Cathedraticum celebration held at St. Theresa’s Cathedral in Jimeta, Bishop Mamza provided insights into the diocese’s current state of preparedness. “We are in the process of constructing a new guest house at the Pastoral Centre, which will feature ninety rooms and a large hall capable of accommodating over a thousand individuals,” Bishop Mamza announced.
He utilized this occasion to express gratitude to the faithful for their generous contributions towards the ongoing construction, which forms a critical component of the broader initiative to successfully host the 2027 plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, signifying a notable achievement for the diocese.
This year’s Cathedraticum gathered together Catholic faithful, clergy, and religious members from across the diocese.
The traditional event, which allows parishes to present gifts and spiritual support to the bishop, was celebrated with vibrant festivities, choral performances, and a renewed appeal for unity within the Church and the greater Nigerian society.
In his homily, Bishop Mamza articulated his concerns regarding the worsening economic conditions in the nation. He urged the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, to address the pressing needs of the Nigerian populace, particularly about security, inflation, and power outages. “The citizens are experiencing significant hardship,” the bishop stated. “We cannot persist under these conditions. The government must fulfil its responsibilities and assist the poor and vulnerable.”
On the eve of the Cathedraticum, the final of Bishop Mamza’s football tournament was conducted, culminating in the Yola Deanery securing victory over the Numan Deanery. This marks the third iteration of the tournament, wherein Bishop Mamza encouraged the youth to continue striving for unity within the Church and to lead purposeful lives, as all teams left with awards and monetary prizes.