By Olivia Obijiaku
The Cathedral Administrator of Christ the King Catholic Cathedral (CKCC), Sabo Gari, Zaria, Rev Fr. Dr. Isaac Agu has described the Lateran Basilica as the seat of authority over physical and spiritual kingdoms and nations. Making this known during the Mass, which the Catholic Bishop of Zaria, Most Rev. Dr. Habila Tyiakonaboi Daboh presided at the cathedral on the Feast of the Dedication of Lateran Basilica on Sunday, November 9, 2025, the priest explained that the mother of all cathedrals was given to the Church by Emperor Constantine, as a gift to God, following victory over a war.
He taught that though the Pope resides currently in Vatican, his seat remains in the first basilica and that the seats of all Catholic bishops in the world are also connected to the Lateran Basilica. The homilist who disclosed that the seats are subject to attacks from the devil, also taught that the Pope and local ordinaries are specifically prayed for, at every Mass, in acknowledgement of the enemy’s intention.
“Today we celebrate the dedication of the Lateran Basilica.” The clergyman oriented. “The Lateran Basilica was given to the Church by Emperor Constantine. It was a gift to God for the victory he received from God as he defeated his opponents. That was where the Popes of the Catholic Church lived for nearly one thousand years, until St Peter’s Basilica was built.”
“Even though now, the Pope lives in Vatican, his chair is in the Lateran Basilica. Today, we are celebrating the authority that Christ gave the Church. That seat signifies the authority that Christ gave to us (Mt. 16:18-19). It is a seat of authority over kingdoms and nations, both spiritual and temporal. It is a seat where the evil would attack. That is why at every Mass, we pray for our Pope and bishop.”
Fr. Agu expanded that the seat of the bishop is the teaching office of the diocese, explaining that no priest can sit on the seat of the bishop, even in his absence. He added that the obedience and royalty accorded to chief shepherds are to their seats.
