By Charles Igwe
During the first 2024 plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Gerald Mamman Musa, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina, shared insights into his approach to evangelization in the diocese. Bishop Musa highlighted the importance of holistic evangelization, which encompasses both spiritual formation and functional education, as the cornerstone of his model for the diocese.
Describing Katsina Diocese as a creative minority, representing just 0.2% of the population, Bishop Musa acknowledged the challenges posed by its small size. However, he expressed optimism about the prospects for the diocese, particularly in terms of vocations. Despite being a minority, Bishop Musa sees an opportunity for Katsina Diocese to be a creative force within its community.
Bishop Musa reflected on the forthcoming ordination of five deacons as priests in July, a significant milestone for the diocese. He highlighted the importance of nurturing vocations and fostering a culture of service and dedication among the faithful.
As one of the newly appointed bishops in the conference, Bishop Musa emphasized the value of learning from the expertise and experiences of his fellow bishops. He described the CBCN plenary as a microcosm of Nigeria, bringing together bishops from across the country to address important issues facing the Church and society.
For Bishop Musa, this plenary represents a valuable opportunity to listen, observe, and contribute to the collective efforts of the Church in Nigeria. Since his ordination and installation as the first Bishop of Katsina Diocese in December 2023, Bishop Musa has been dedicated to promoting holistic evangelization and fostering the spiritual and intellectual growth of the faithful in his diocese.
