The Catholic Bishop of Yola, Most Rev. Stephen Mamza Dami, who doubles as the First Vice President of the Justice, Peace and Development Commission (JPDC) for the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), has expressed profound appreciation to Western donors and institutions for their commitment to peace and security in Africa.
SECAM, which has the Most Rev. Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, the Archbishop of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who represents the French-speaking countries, as President, is the umbrella body of the entire Catholic Church structure in Africa and its Islands.
Bishop Mamza represents English-speaking countries in Africa, while the second Vice President, an Archbishop from Angola, is a representative of the Portuguese-speaking countries.
The prelate offered the words of appreciation while delivering a homily at a historic Mass of solidarity between the Catholic Bishops of the United States of America and the Catholic Bishops of Africa amid rising concerns over religious persecution, which was held recently at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.
“I wish to use this opportunity to thank the universal Church for the show of solidarity we enjoyed from different parts of the world at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency, especially some Church institutions in the United States through Mission Appeal, the Hungarian Government through Hungary Helps and particularly the Church in Germany through the Aid to the Church in Need, Missio in Aachan, and the Archdiocese of Cologne” he said.
A housing estate and a Mosque built for IDPs in Sangere Margi area of Gire Local Government Area, of Adamawa State. Credit: Yola Diocese/ACI Africa.
Bishop Dami acknowledged that “These three Church Institutions in Germany are the reasons behind the survival of the Catholic Faith in many African Countries, especially in North East Nigeria,” stressing that “Most of our Churches, Schools, Parish Houses and Hospitals destroyed by Boko Haram were rebuilt through the help of these Church Organisations in Germany.”
The Bishop also acknowledged the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) as well as other international humanitarian agencies for their “humanitarian services to everybody irrespective of religious affiliation.”
Earlier, he thanked “the International Justice and Peace Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for the invitation to preach at this Eucharistic celebration.”
He disclosed that “Part of my Diocese is one of the main areas in North East Nigeria that was overran by the Boko Haram Insurgency between 2014 and 2017” adding, “the Boko Haram insurgency led to my deep involvement in taking care of the Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) who ran for their lives to Yola, the state capital, looking for shelter.”
Bishop was emphatic when he said, “On behalf of the Church in Africa, I bring you greetings of good wishes” – greetings that would remain with the American faithful for a long time as he returned to his home country of Nigeria, across the Atlantic.
Ordained a catholic priest on 13 April 1996 and consecrated as a bishop on 7 April 2011 after being appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Dami has become a prominent humanitarian leader known for his work in peacebuilding and interreligious dialogue in Northeast Nigeria.
His global advocacy includesspeeches at international fora such as the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit, where he highlights the security and economic challenges facing people in the northeast and Nigerians in general.
In terms of interfaith efforts,he is known as a notable peace advocate because of the mosque he constructed for displaced Muslims within a community settlement in Sangere Margi area of Gire Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
His humanitarian advocacy programmesinclude extensive responses to the Boko Haram crisis, especially supporting the feeding and education of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and rebuilding hundreds of homes for them.
He served as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Adamawa State for two successive tenures of six years, completing his terms in 2024.
TheBazza, Adamawa State-born, was recently conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Theology (Honoris Causa) by the Adamawa State University (ADSU), Mubi, for his enduring commitment to the promotion of peace, unity, social justice and quality education in the state.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Development Studies from Kimmage Development Studies Centre in Dublin, Ireland, a Bachelor’s Degree in Sacred Theology from Urbaniana University, Rome and a Diploma in Religious Studies from the University of Ibadan.
