MOST REV. MICHAEL GOBAL GOKUM
Date of Birth: 18th March, 1964 Priestly Ordination: 1991 Episcopal: 12th June, 2014 Address: Catholic Bishop’s House, Opposite St.
Helen Grammar School, Jos Road, P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin, Plateau State, Nigeria Mobile Tel: 08036555584 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]
STATISTICS AT-A-GLANCE
First Missionaries: Fr. Oswald Walter; Fr. Joseph Mouren & Fr. Ernest Belin Land Mass: 8486sq.km No of Catholics: 147,000 No of Priests: 40 No of Religious (Female) 8 Major Seminarians: 40 Minor Seminarians: 65 No of Catechists: 34 Volunteer Catechists: 489 No of Parishes: 10 Pastoral Areas: 10 Chaplaincies: 3
he historical background of the evangelization of the Catholic Diocese of
T
Pankshin, although distinct in features and problems unique to it, followed a similar pattern to that of Shendam which dates back to the arrival of the SMA missionary priests to this part of the country, north of the Niger and Benue in 1907 through the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Asaba.
The team left France on 12th October, 1906 and was headed by Fr. Oswald Waller (40 years) who had spent the first six years of his priesthood in Egypt. He was accompanied by Fr. Joseph Mouren (24 years) and Fr. Ernest Belin (25 years). As more priests were sent to Shendam, there was need to open more mission stations. Historical records show that Captain Foulkes, the then colonial Resident, invited Fr Oswald Waller to come and establish a mission station among the Ngas people. Although Msgr. Waller visited the Chip land as well as the Ngas in Pankshin and the Sura in Panyam in 1911 and saw a great promise for the Church in the area. however, it was not until 1934, when some southern Christians, already converted to Catholicism arrived in Pankshin as government clerks and petty traders and built a small mud Church, that the visits from Shendam became more regular.
Nde Malachy Bawa Yilkatda, the first indigene to be baptized and a product of the Vernacular Training Centre in Shendam was sent to open a small class of religious instructions (C.R.I) in 1937. For pastoral convenience, however, the growing
MOST REV. MICHAEL GOBAL GOKUM
Date of Birth: 18th March, 1964 Priestly Ordination: 1991 Episcopal: 12th June, 2014 Address: Catholic Bishop’s House, Opposite St.
Helen Grammar School, Jos Road, P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin, Plateau State, Nigeria Mobile Tel: 08036555584 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE
PANKSHIN DIOCESE
Province: Jos Erection: June 12, 2014Pankshin mission station was transferred to the pastoral care of Jos mission in 1938 by Msgr. Lumley.
By the late 1960s the small Church built in Pankshin, the central mission station in 1946, had become too small to accommodate its teeming converts.
Bishop Reddington began the foundation of the Holy Cross Church which now serves as the Cathedral Church of Pankshin Diocese and was opened by Bishop Ganaka on the ordination day of Fr Cletus Gotan, the third Ngas priest on 15th December, 1974.
With the opening of Pankshin Parish in 1942, the priests there began to visit Sha, to its South West where with Daffo they built up a strong local Catholic community with C.R.Is. While in 1959, it was decided to establish a separate parish for this part of Pankshin Parish, with Sha as the centre of the parish, it was not until 1970 that the proposal to open another residential parish in the area got off the ground with Daffo as the centre as it was the most central place for other mission stations in this area. Fr Dominic Kearns opened the new mission in October, 1970.
Msgr. Obidiegwu, in 1979 started the Catholic Chaplaincy in the FCE, Pankshin which was named St.
Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy in May,1997 when late Fr. Wadak, who was the Chaplain, was deployed to be the priest in residence by the Late Archbishop Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka.
From the foundations planted by the pioneers and watered by a host of others equally too numerous to name here, supported by many gallant teachers, catechists and lay foot soldiers; Pankshin Diocese today stands out as a Diocese that has produced the highest number of Priests compared to all the Dioceses in the Ecclesiastical Province of Jos which comprises of Bauchi, Jalingo, Maiduguri, Shendam and Yola.
With the erection of the new Diocese of Pankshin carved out of the Archdiocese of Jos and the Diocese of Shendam, and the ordination of Msgr.
Michael Gobal Gokum, as its first Bishop, the diocese is neatly packed within the five Local Government Areas of Bokkos, Mangu, Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam in Plateau State. It covers a land area of 8486 sq. km, with a Catholic population of 147,000 baptized members divided into 10 Parishes, 10 pastoral areas and 3 chaplaincies.
While at the silver jubilee celebration of Archbishop Ganaka In 1990, Pankshin Deanery had only 3 Parishes, 9 priests and 3 OLF sisters indigenous to the area, statistics now show that the area has 40 priests and 8 religious women indigenous to the area serving within the Archdiocese of Jos and another 27 priests who are incardinated into the Dioceses of Bauchi, Shendam, Sokoto, Kaduna and Minna; 4 priests and 12 Religious women are recruited into Religious Congregations within and outside the country. In its short existence, Pankshin Diocese has madetremendous development in terms of spiritual and pastoral activities; indicating a bright potential for the evangelization apostolate of the church in the area.
DIOCESAN PRIESTS
S/NO NAME YEAR OF ORDINATION
1. Dayok Denis 05-12-1981 2. Atawal Stephen 17-11-1984 3. Alanga Michael 09-11-1986 4. Watpe Paul 30-11-1986 5. Go’ar John 19-11-1988 6. Midah Timothy 19-11-1988 7. Deshi Cyril 16-11-1991 8. Dakup Amos 16-11-1991 9. Gorap George 16-11-1991 10. Yilkora Peter 16-11-1991 11. Gowok Gabriel 29-10-1992 12. Dewan D. Andrew 03-12-1994 13. Gogwang Elias 03-12-1994 14. Gowon Cletus 03-12-1994 15. Podos Justin 03-12-1994 16. Rotshak Joshua 03-12-199417. Gotus Joseph 18-10-1997 18. Nkum Boniface 11-12-1999 19. Kissala Nicholas 09-12-2000 20. Zungdet Ignatius 09-12-2000 21. Kassam Basil 27-07-2002 22. Gokum Norbert 27-07-2002 23. Ngolit William 27-07-2002 24. Nworduh Finian 12-07-2003 25. Gyang Francis 31-07-2004 26. Wuyep Jerome Dunka 30-07-2005 27. Guyit Zachariah 30-07-2005 28. Goltoka Methodius 29-07-2006 29. Tyokase Mathew, CSSp 12-07-2008 30. Rabo Ignatius 25-07-2009 31. Okafor Christian,CMF 10-07-2010 32. Gogwim Kefas 26-02-2011 33. Midim Andrew 26-02-2011 34. Maigari Juventus 24-09-2011 35. Orji Venantius 15-10-2011 36. Kim Andrew Dung 15-10-2011 37. Matthew Iwuagwu, CMF 06-07-2013 38. Nyam Jacob 23-11-2013 39. Gokat Michael 08-11-2014 40. Jingbe Simon Nengyi 28-11-2015 41. Chibi Aeron 28-11-2015
PRIESTS WORKING OUTSIDE THE
DIOCESE
Rev. Fr. Cyril Deshi โ Jos Archdiocese Rev. Fr. Nicholas Kissala โ Jos Archdiocese Rev. Fr. Basil Kassam โ Jos Archdiocese Rev. Fr. Boniface Nkum โ SAMS, Jos Rev. Fr. Methodius Goltoka – SAMs, Jos PRIESTS ON STUDIES
Rev. Fr. Andrew Danjuma Dewan โ Manchester, UK Rev. Fr. Joseph Gotus โ Poland Rev. Fr. William Ngolit โ Germany Rev. Fr. Juventus Mairiga โ Rome Rev. Fr. Finian Nworduh – Kenya PRIESTS WORKING IN THE
DIOCESE OF PANKSHIN
Rev. Fr. Mathew Tyokase, Cssp Rev. Fr. Christian Okafor, CMF Rev. Fr Matthew Iwuagwu, CMF
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
Vicar General Very Rev. Fr. Paul Watpe Tel: 07038099132 Diocesan Chancery Holy Cross Cathedral P.O. Box 1017 Residence: St. Thomas Parish, Bokkos
Chancellor/Diocesan Secretary: Very Rev. Fr. John Rotgak Go’ar Tel: 08034523183 Email: [email protected] Diocesan Chancery Holy Cross Cathedral P.O. Box 1017 Residence: St. Thomas, Bwarak Private Secretary to the Bishop : Rev. Fr. Michael Gokat Office: Diocesan Chancery
Holy Cross Cathedral P.O. Box 1017 Tel: 08039500118, 07059699851 Consultors: Most Rev. Michael Gobal Gokum Very Rev. Fr. Paul Watpe Very Rev. Fr. Denis Dayok Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Atawal Very Rev. Fr. Michael Alanga Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Deshi Very Rev. Fr George Gorap Rev. Fr. Ignatius Rabo Rev. Fr. Matthew Tyokase Cssp Rev. Fr. Amos Dakup Very Rev. Fr. John Go’ar (Secretary) Diocesan Finance Committee: Most Rev. Michael Gobal Gokum Very Rev. Fr. John Go’ar Very Rev. Fr. Michael Alanga Very Rev. Fr George Gorap Very Rev. Fr. Paul Watpe Rev. Fr. Amos Dakup Rev. Fr. Denis Dayok Project Officer: Very Rev. Fr. Michael Alanga St. Theresa’s Tukung P.O.Box 301 Pankshin Tel: 08034537564 Land Officer: Very Rev. Fr. Paul Watpe St. Thomas Parish Bokkos Tel: 07038099132 Vocations Director: Rev. Fr. Andrew Rotshak Midim St. Patrick’s Parish, Sha Bokkos LGA Tel: 08068096868 Director of Social Communications Rev. Fr. Gabriel G. Gowok St. Anthony’s Parish Chip Tel: .08037008704 and 08187537005 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Assistant: Fr. Andrew Kim Dung Tel: 08065320403 Email: [email protected] Director of Religious Education: Rev. Fr. Justin Podos St. Thomas Aquinas’ Catholic Chaplaincy Federal College of Education, Pankshin Tel: 08035895235 Pastoral Commission Chairman: Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Atawal St. Joseph’s Fwor, Pankshin Tel: 08037004648 Health Commission Chairman: Bro. Joseph Gofwen Tel: 08060087817 Justice, Development and Peace Commission: Rev. Fr. Basil Kassam C/o Diocesan Chancery Holy Cross Cathedral, Pankshin Tel: 08039570507 Assistant: Rev. Fr. Ignatius Rabo Tel: 08068640375 Education Secretary: Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Deshi C/o Diocesan Chancery Holy Cross Cathedral, Pankshin Tel: 08065797372 Assistant: Bro. John Daspiel Tel: 08031154781
Director of Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) : Very Rev. Fr. Paul Watpe St. Thomas’ Bokkos Tel: 07038099132 Diocesan Coordinator of Inculturation : Rev. Fr. Norbert Gokum St. Paul’s Dawaki Tel: 08033753073 Catechetical/Family Life Commission Chairman: Very Rev. Fr. George Gorap Holy Cross Cathedral, Pankshin P.O. Box 1017 Pankshin, Plateau State Tel: 08036146987 Email: [email protected] Liturgical Commission Chairman: Rev. Fr. Norbert Gokum St. Paul’s Parish Dawaki P.O.Box 18, Kabwir Tel: 08033753073 Assistant: Rev. Fr. Jerome Wuyep Fr. McCauley Memorial Secondary School Ballang Shipang Tel: 08036095838 Education Commission Chairman: Very Rev. Fr. Peter Yilkora Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chaplaincy College of Education, P.M.B. 01000, Gindiri Tel: 08035044537 Youth Commission Chairman : Rev. Fr. Zachariah Guyit St. Jude’s Parish, Dengi Tel: 080537550Assistant: Rev. Fr. Andrew Kim Dung St. James’ Parish, P.O. box 1017 Pankshin Tel: 08037611661 Marriage Tribunal Chairman: Rev. Fr. Amos Dakup Christ the King Dyis Diocesan Priest Council: Chairman: Very Rev. Fr. George Gorap Secretary: Rev. Fr. Francis Gyang
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
A. Nursery/Primary Schools: 1. Nursery/Primary School, Chip, P. O. Box 1017, Pankshin 2. Nursery/Primary School, Dawaki, P. O. Box 18, Kabwir 3. Nursery/Primary School,Mangu, P. O. Box 222, Mangu 4. Nursery/Primary School, Fatima, P. O. Box 1017, Pankshin 5. Nursery/Primary School, Tangur, Bokkos 6. Nursery/Primary School, Ampang West 7. Nursery/Primary School, Amper 8. Nursery/Primary School, Dyis 9. Nursery/Primary School, Pushit 10. Nursery/Primary School, Daffo 11. Nursery/Primary School,Bishop John Moore, Chigwong 12. Nursery/Primary School, St. Theresa’s Kabwir 13. Nursery/Primary School, Nursery/Primary, Gar 14. Nursery/Primary School, Lankan B. Colleges: (i) McCauley Memorial Secondary School P.O. Box 55, Pankshin Principal: Rev. Fr. Jerome Wuyep Tel: 08036095838 (ii) Ganaka Girls International Secondary School, Kwal Kabwir Principal: Sr. Magdalene Gotau Tel: 08064670061 (iii) Holy Cross Day Secondary School
P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin Principal: Rev. Fr. Cletus Gowon Tel: 08065797324 (iv) Bishop Reddington Memorial Secondary School Ampang West, Mangu Vocational Institutions: Inter-Faith Vocational Training Centre Director: Rev. Fr. Kefas Gogwim Tel: 08032422180 Health Care Centres Holy Cross Primary Health Care Clinic P. O. Box 1017, Pankshin Administrator: Rev. Fr. George G. Gorap Tel: 08036146987 OLA Clinic, Makarang C/o St. Thomas’ Parish, Bokkos
DECEASED PRIEST
Rev. Fr. Dr. Yohanna T. Wadak
PARISHES OF THE DIOCESE
PANKSHIN DEANERY
Holy Cross Cathedral, Pankshin P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin Administrator: Rev. Fr. George G.
Gorap Tel: 08036146987 Asst. Administrator: Rev. Fr. Simon Jingbe Tel: 08069085130 St. Theresa’s Tukung P.O. Box 301, Pankshin Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Michael Alanga Tel: 08034537564 St. Vincent De Paul’s Fier P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Christian Okafor, CMF Tel: 07018595355, 08038250958 Assistant: Fr Matthew Iwuagwu, CMF Tel: 08136576771 St. James’ Kadyis P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Andrew Kim Dung Tel: 08065320403
St. Thomas’ Pastoral Area, Bwarak P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin Priest in-charge: Rev. Fr. John Go’ar Tel: 08034523183 St. Joseph Pastoral Area, Fwor P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin Priest in Charge: Rev. Fr. Stephen Atawal Tel: 080370047648 St. Thomas Aquinas’ Chaplaincy, FCE, Pankshin Chaplain: Rev. Fr. Justin Podos Tel: 08035895235 AMPER DEANERY
St. Jerome’s Amper P.O.Box 14, Amper Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Jacob Nyam Tel: 07060851395, 07083701554 St. Paul’s Dawaki P.O. Box 18, Kabwir Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Norbert Gokum Tel: 08033753073 St. Jude’s Dengi P.O. Box 21, Dengi Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Zachariah Guyit Tel: 08136805389 St. Theresa’s Kabwir P.O. Box 18, Kabwir Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Denis Dayok Tel: 08034492606, 08076746382 Assistant: Rev. Fr. Aeron Chibi Tel: 08131652877 St. Patrick’s Mwel (Ampang East) Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Ignatius Zungdet Tel: 08069653434CHIP DEANERY
St. Anthony’s Chip Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Gabriel G.
Gowok Tel: 08037008704, 08187537005 Christ the King Dyis Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Amos Dakup Tel: 08032903546, 07052681450 St. Raymond’s Tal Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Ignatius Rabo Tel: 08068640375 DAFFO DEANERY
St. Thomas’ Bokkos Parish Priest: Very Rev. Fr. Paul Watpe Tel: 07038099132 Holy Family’s Daffo P.O. Box 02, Barkin Ladi Parish Priest: Orji Venantius Tel: 08063339134 St. Patrick’s Sha Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Cletus Gowon Tel: 07039392667 St. Ignatius Chaplaincy, PLASU, Bokkos Chaplain: Rev. Fr. Kefas Gogwim Tel: 08032422180 MANGU DEANERY
St. Francis’ Mangu P.O. Box 222, Mangu Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Elias Gogwang Tel: 08036020692 St. Peter’s Pushit P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Mathew Tyokase, CSSP Tel: 08066048289
St. Sebastian’s Ampang West Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Francis Gyang Tel: 08032106605 St. Peter’s Gindiri Parish Priest: Rev. Fr. Joshua Rotshak Tel: 08036007129 St. Gregory’s Kopal Priest in Charge: Rev. Fr. Michael Gokat Tel: 08039500118, 07059699851 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chaplaincy, COE, Gindiri P.M.B 01000, Gindiri Chaplain: Rev. Fr. Peter Yilkora Tel: 08035044537 RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES (Men) Congregation of the Holy Ghost (CSSp) St. Peter’s Pushit P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin Plateau State, Nigeria Claretians (CMF) St. Vicent De Paul, Fier P. O. Box 1017, Pankshin Plateau State, Nigeria FEMALE RELIGIOUS
Our Lady of Fatima Sisters (OLF) C/o Holy Cross Cathedral P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin Plateau State, Nigeria Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Sisters (EHJ)
P.O. Box 222, Mangu Plateau State, NigeriaOur Lady of Fatima Sisters, Ampang West c/o P.O. Box 1017, Pankshin