The Catholic Bishop of Lafia, situated in Nasarawa State, central Nigeria, alongside his Priests, Religious, and members of the Laity, have marked the 25 years of the erection of their diocese with a pilgrimage to a memorial site where missions began in the region.
The Chief Shepherd of the Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. David Ajang, shared the details on his official social media handle.
A memorial pilgrimage to mark silver jubilee of the diocese
Bishop Ajang, 56, revealed that they “had a memorable pilgrimage as part of the silver jubilee celebration of the Diocese.”
The prelate noted that “They ascended the hills, praying the Stations of the Cross,” while providing the rationale for the gathering at the specific location.
Priests in procession before the celebration of Holy Mass. Credit: Bishop David Ajang.
“On the hills the Bishop, surrounded by his Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful, offered the Holy Mass at the very spot where the zealous missionaries, who first evangelized the now, Lafia Diocese, part of which at that time, was located within Jos Archdiocese, started their missionary work,” he said.
While delivering his homily, the prelate, who was a former Chaplain to Government House in Plateau State, “praised the tireless efforts of the pioneer missionaries who, at very tender years of their lives, left their comfortable countries and pleasures of Lafia, to suffer a lot of deprivations, for the proclamation of the kingdom of God in our land amidst all challenges.”
Some female religious and members of the laity during the celebration. Credit: Bishop David Ajang
The prelate, formerly a priest of the Archdiocese of Jos further disclosed that “the memorable pilgrimage” has “physical-spiritual benefits for all participants.”
The philosopher-bishop ceased the occasion to express appreciation “to all who participated, and prayed for a lasting effect of the pilgrimage in their lives.”
Lafia Diocese: Creation, Structure, Population
The Catholic Diocese of Lafia was officially established on 5 December 2000 by Pope John Paul II with Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu appointed as pioneer indigenous bishop.
Created from parts of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Jos and the Diocese of Makurdi, the diocese celebrated its 25th anniversary of proclamation recalling its canonical erection which occurred on 31 March 2001.
With translation of Bishop Matthew Ishaya Audu as the Archbishop of Jos, following the appointment of Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama as the Archbishop of the See of Abuja, on 31 March 2021, Pope Francis appointed Most Rev. Dr. David Ajang as the substantive bishop of Lafia.
Most Rev. Dr. David Ajang blesses the people. Credit: Bishop David Ajang.
With a population of over 330,000 as early as 2026, based on 2023 data, Lafia diocese has about 59 parishes and mission areas organised across seven deaneries.
In terms of personnel, there are 91 priests, both diocesan as religious with over 100 consecrated men and women comprising of 16 males and 88 females.
Bishop David Ajang with some consecrated women and members of the Holy Childhood Association (HCA). Credit: Bishop David Ajang.
With St. William’s Cathedral in Lafia as its Cathedral, the diocese is a suffragan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Abuja, its closest neighbour.
The Diocese of is currently commemorating its 25th anniversary, with events set to culminate on November 27, 2026.
Editor’s Note: Featured photo is courtesy of Bishop David Ajang
