Bishop Joseph Danlami Bagobiri:Truly a man of justice that stood out for the truth and the oppressed.

By Casmir Nguzoro

The Bishop of Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Bishop Joseph Danlami Bagobiri, was announced dead on the early hours of Tuesday 26th February 2018 in Kaduna at the age of 61 following an illness.

He is a Nigerian Roman Catholic bishop.
Born Nov. 8, 1957.
Ordained to the priesthood in June 1983, Bishop Bagobiri served as bishop of Kafanchan from October 21,1995 until his death in 2018.

a priest for 34.7 years
a bishop for 22.3 years

Bishop Joseph Danlami Bagobiri is a man known for the truth and for standing out for the truth.

He is the man behind the resolution of Ahiara Diocese crises that has lasted for 5years.

Let's recall that on December 1st 2017, the Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan, Kaduna State, Bishop Joseph Danlami Bagobiri, broke ranks with his fellow Nigeria Catholic Bishops and urged relevant authorities to “give Ahiara a bishop close to their hearts.”
He broke ranks with his colleagues at the all-powerful Nigeria’s Catholic Bishops Council, to support Ahiara Diocese, who had rejected a bishop posted to them—for violation of due process.

He said: “The crisis that ensued with the appointment of Bishop Peter Okpalaeke as the second bishop of the diocese of Ahiara to succeed late Bishop Victor Chikwe has lingered on now for about five years.
“This could have been avoided or resolved if CBCN had been courageous enough to follow truth and justice, by listening to the aggrieved party and presenting their case positively or in an empathetic manner as a united force to Rome.”
“When we were one year into this crisis, to be precise, at the second plenary assemble that took place at Otukpo, it was advised that insisting on the option of COMMANDING OBEDIENCE from the Mbaise faithful of Ahiara Diocese as against seeking to constructively engage them in dialogue with a view to striking some fair and reasonable compromises as was the case with Warri Diocese, will not solve this problem.”

Just as we all know that, all truth passes through three stages: First it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed and third it is accepted as being self-evident.

First he was humiliated and ridiculed by his fellow bishop for saying the truth.

First the CBCN in a letter dated December 5, 2017 and signed by the president, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama and his deputy, Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze, described Bishop Bagobori’s letter as ill-timed and capable of aggravating the Ahiara Mbaise crisis and therefore urged the Bishop to immediately “issue another statement through the public media withdrawing in its entirety the earlier statement and apologise to the Pontiff as well as CBCN, Bishop Peter Okpalaeke and the people of Ahiara for the damage your statement is already doing.”

But he refused to give up on the truth,
Rather he released another letter where he said “We should change strategy from one that demands un-questionable obedience from a people who feel short-changed in the process of appointing their Chief Shepherd, to that of constructive engagement. This appeal I make to the CBCN, I will be able to make same before any ecclesial authority on earth without any trepidation, for those who know me,”

Just as we all know that truth is rarely pure and never simple. later all his letter became the true solution to the 5years crises in Ahiara diocese.

He brought back peace and unity to Ahiara diocese.

He pray as he will be buried ony the 15th of March, 2018. The good lord, the Lord of justice and truth, the God that hates discrimination will accept him in his heavenly kingdom, Amen.

Adieu man of God

Adieu peace marker . As you sowed peace truth and unity in Ahiara Diocese , so shall you reap peace, truth and unity in the sight of God.

You showed the whole world that Just because everybody's doing something, doesn't mean it's right....

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