Pope Francis Ordains New Catholic Bishop In Borno State
Afimag.com –
Pope Francis has ordained Bishop, Rev. Dr John Bogna Bakeni at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Maiduguri, Borno State.
The new Bishop was ordained on July 07, 2022, as the first Maiduguri Catholic Bishop.
Rev. Antonio Filipazzi, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Catholic Church, represented Pope Francis at the event.
He told the parishioners to dwell not on the abode of hatred, division, and discord but on total submission to things of God.
Rev. Filipazzi congratulated the new Bishop for his steadfast, solidarity and commitment to God, urging members to pay allegiance to him in totality.
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His words: “We Catholics are one family not because we have black ties that unite us. We are one family because we are saved by the one redeemer Jesus Christ, washed by the one baptism marked by the same Holy Spirit, nourished by the one heavenly bread.
“Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you, rejects me, and whoever rejects me, rejects the one who sends me.
“And now, who you have been chosen by the Lord, consider that you are chosen from among men and appointed on their behalf for those things that pertain to God.
“The title of Bishop is one of the services, not of honour and therefore a Bishop should strive to benefit others rather than lord it over them.
“As the church entrusted in you, be a faithful steward, moderator and guardian of the mysteries of Christ.
“As one chosen by the Father to rule over his family, be mindful always of the Good Shepherd, who knows his sheep and is known by them, and who did not hesitate to lay down his life for them.
“With the charity of the father and brother, live all who God places in your care, especially, the priests and deacons, your co-workers in the ministry of Christ, but also the poor and the weak, immigrants and strangers,” he said.