By Roseline Idoko
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Most Rev. Dr. Julius Yakubu Kundi, has marked his sixth Episcopal anniversary with a thanksgiving Mass during the ongoing plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), calling on Christians to embrace deeper spiritual reflection and authentic discipleship during the Lenten season.
The Eucharistic celebration took place on Friday, 20 February 2026, at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, coinciding with the Friday after Ash Wednesday and forming part of activities of the bishops’ plenary gathering.
Reflecting on six years since his episcopal consecration in Kafanchan, Bishop Kundi expressed gratitude to God for the pastoral mission entrusted to him as a shepherd of God’s people. The occasion also recognized the fifth episcopal anniversary of Most Rev. Sylvester Gopep.
In his homily, centered on the Gospel reading from Matthew on fasting and feasting, the Bishop emphasized that Christian discipleship requires discernment of seasons — moments of celebration and moments of sacrifice. Referring to Christ as the Bridegroom, he explained that joy remains essential to Christian life, while fasting becomes meaningful when believers recognize their spiritual distance from God and seek reconciliation.
He noted that the Lenten season invites Christians to sincere self-examination, deeper surrender to God’s mercy, and renewed commitment to the mission received through Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. Drawing from Church tradition, Bishop Kundi explained that the image of the bridegroom signifies Christ’s relationship with the Church, stressing that Jesus did not abolish fasting but taught its proper spiritual context as an expression of a living relationship with God guided by the Holy Spirit.
The Bishop further highlighted the Church’s continuous growth through openness to renewal under the guidance of the Magisterium, allowing new expressions of worship and pastoral practice while remaining faithful to tradition.
The celebration concluded with a call to the faithful to cultivate openness to the Holy Spirit, embracing both joy and sacrifice as essential dimensions of Christian life. He described his anniversary as a moment of gratitude, humility, and renewed commitment to pastoral service.
The Mass was attended by Catholic bishops participating in the plenary assembly, clergy, religious, and staff of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, who joined in prayers of thanksgiving for the Bishop’s episcopal ministry and continued service to the Church in Nigeria.
