BISHOP DUNG COMMISSIONS 37 NEW CATECHISTS AS INSTITUTE CLOCKS 40
By Emmanuel Donatus, Jos.
As part of the activities to celebrate the institution’s 40th anniversary, the Catholic Bishop of Shendam Diocese, Most Rev. Philip Davou Dung commissioned 37 new catechists who graduated from the prestigious, Catechetical Training Institute (CTI) in Shendam.
The three day celebration began on Sunday, June 26, 2022 with a thanksgiving Mass and cultural day celebration, and was followed by a symposium with the theme: Christian living, corresponding courses for Catholics”, This was witnessed by thousands of Catholics and non-Catholics at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shendam, who came to felicitate with the graduands and the Diocese on the historic day.
In his welcome remark, the Director of the Catechetical Training Institute, Rev. Fr. Paul Miapkwap, stressed the important role the institution. According to him, “The world is raising difficult questions. People have opened up to many things and life has gotten complicated. Atheism is growing and temptations and distractions are arriving from every direction. The gospel must be delivered honestly and with simplicity. Furthermore, we must address the issues that are driving people away from the Lord and meet them where they are, in the busy rush of their lives. We need equipped Christian leaders in this world.”
Fr. Miapkwap further noted some innovations introduced to the students which included: Introduction of Sign Language, to enable the Catechists instruct those with special disabilities: Introduction of Correspondence Course: Introduction of various skills such as tailoring, soap making among others for the students and their wives; visitation to various churches within the community to teach catechism. The graduands were also able to translate the book written by Tim Cullianne into Hausa language titled ‘Questions People Ask’.
In his homily, the Cathedral administrator of Shendam Diocese, Rev. Fr Homsuk Ahmadu stated that the celebration, which coincided with the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, who were great teachers, one to the Jews and the other to the gentiles, served as a reminder of our collective commitment as missionaries, and the mission of the universal Church, responsibility as Catholics. According to him, “All of us, by virtue of our baptism, share in the universal mission of the Church, because when you become a Christian, your duty is to attract others to Christ, especially those who do not know Christ. This also is the primary duty of the catechists, to teach the faith. Speaking further, Fr. Ahmadu noted with concern, that Catechists no longer frequent the sacrament of penance. He said “the temptation is to think we are closer to the church, so do not value the Sacrament. How then will you convince someone that in confession, they encounter Christ? It is not possible, because when you do not believe in that sacrament, then, you cannot bring others to believe in the sacrament also.”
While commissioning the Catechists, the chief shepherd of Shendam Diocese, Most Rev. Philip Dung charged them be good ambassadors of the institution and the Church. He lamented the unfortunate scenario where the Catechists make themselves the chief accountants of the Parish, focusing more on the monetary gains than on the mission they were called to do. “This must stop and it should begin with all of you here today.” In another development, Bishop Dung called on all Catholics to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC), and to participate actively in the forthcoming general elections as the PVC is their power and freedom.
The Catechatical Training Institute Shendam, was established on 1982, by late Archbishop of Jos, Archbishop Gabriel Ganaka. It first started at Ungwan Buan in Shendam with only 12 candidates. In 40 years the center admitted 949 candidates, out of the 949 admitted 910 have so far been commissioned as catechetical workers and efficient pastoral agents for Jos and other Dioceses in Nigeria. this year has the highest number of graduands (37) including 11 from Shendam, 4 for Jos, 3 for Pankshin, 1 for Jalingo, 7 for Bauchi, and 11 Kafanchan.
