In a world where bishops, priests, and deacons strive against secular systems that constantly challenge Christian values, Catholic clergy have been encouraged to embrace courageous witness.
This call was made by the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Prof. Cletus Tanimu Gotan on Thursday, 9 April 2026, at the Sacred Heart Pastoral Center, during the 25th anniversary of the episcopal ordination of the Catholic Archbishop of Jos Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu.
Most Rev. Matthew Ishaya Audu, Catholic Archbishop and Metropolitan of the See of Jos. Credit: Fatima Cathedral Media.
Shepherding requires “Courage without aggression, leadership without noise, presence without fear.”
Monsignor Gotan stated that priests are called “to [embrace] courage without aggression, leadership without noise, presence without fear,” adding that the Archbishop’s call “To shepherd Jos is not a routine assignment.”
Addressing the celebrant, the senior cleric and Vicar Administration of the Archdiocese, maintained that “God has sustained you,” assuring that “No one shepherds this terrain without grace.”
The homilist, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims’ Commission, said, “Even as we proclaim ‘Christ is risen,’ many are still mourning. Even as we sing Alleluia, some communities still hear gunfire. Even as the Church celebrates life, many families are burying their dead.”
He stated that “our context makes this joy complex,” underlining that “We are still standing in the radiant light of Easter.”
Prof. Gotan lauded Archbishop Audu for choosing to honour the victims of the recent killings on the Plateau by celebrating a Mass of thanksgiving instead of having an elaborate celebration.
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Prof. Cletus Tanimu Gotan, homilist at the Episcopal Silver Jubilee Celebration. Credit: Fatima Cathedral Media.
“And so today, we gather not for loud festivity, but for quiet thanksgiving,” said he, adding that, “Even in times of sorrow, gratitude must not be silenced.”
He encouraged the people to hope in the Lord while embracing truth and reconciliation in their dialiy lives.
“We cannot be a people trapped in cycles of suspicion or fear. We are called to be agents of reconciliation, voices of truth, instruments of peace,” he said.
Further clarifying the role of a Bishop, the seasoned educationalist underscored that “A bishop is not merely an administrator.”
The cleric also drew attention to the principles of subsidiarity and co-responsibility, which the people of God are called to demonstrate.
“He is the one who stands before a wounded people and says: Christ is alive, and therefore hope is alive,” Gotan maintained, stressing that the bishop is first called to be a witness of the resurrection.
“We are all witnesses — in our homes, communities, and in our response to crisis.”
Highlighting the place of the laity in Christian witnessing, he disclosed that “The credibility of the Resurrection depends not only on what we preach, but on how we live.”
According to the revered priest, “We are all witnesses — in our homes, communities, and in our response to crisis.”
The former Professor of Education at the University of Jos took a swipe at the government when he said, “Many leaders live in opulence while asking the people to tighten their belts.”
He lamented that “It is unfortunate that while we pray for ‘Nigeria in distress,’ neither we nor our leaders make visible efforts to reject the evils we practice: lies, corruption, exploitation, embezzlement, nepotism.”
Gotan assured the faithful that “Men’s favour fades, but God’s favour lasts forever,” and maintained that “If you stand with God for the truth, He will fight for you.”
Some consecrated women at the celebration. Credit: Fatima Cathedral Media.
Archbishop Audu’s Priestly and Episcopal Ministry
Born on 7 June, 1959 at Rafin Pa’a, Gitata, Karu Local Government Area of Nassarawa State, Archbishop Audu was ordained a Catholic priest for Makurdi diocese on 23 June, 1984.
He served as an Associate priest in Keffi (1984–86) and Lafia (1986–88), respectively and became the parish priest of Nassarawa from 1988 to 1989.
The prelate studied Moral Theology in Rome at the Institute of Moral Theology of the Pontifical Lateran University, Licentiate (1989–91).
Between 1992 and 97, he taught Moral Theology at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Makurdi where he became Vice-Rector.
He bagged his Doctorate Degree in Moral Theology at the Alfonsianum in Rome in 1999 and was appointed Acting Rector at the same St. Thomas Aquinas from June to December, 2000.
On 5 December 2000, Pope John Paul II appointed him as the first Bishop of the newly created Lafia Diocese followed by his ordination and installation on 31 March 2001.
As providence would have it, on 6 January 2020, Pope Francis appointed him as the third Catholic Archbishop of Jos to succeed Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius A. Kaigama, who is the current Archbishop and Metropolitan of the See of Abuja.
During the occasion, which was attended by priests, consecrated men and women, Knights of the Church, and representatives of various groups and sodalities in the Church, Prof. Gotan felicitated with the Archbishop on behalf of everyone in the Archdiocese and in the name of the Bishops of the suffragan Dioceses of the Province of Jos.
Editor’s Note: All Photos are courtesy of Fatima Cathedral Media
