The Metropolitan Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has urged the government of Plateau, Catholic faithful and all citizens of the state to support the new Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Mathew Audu.
Kaigama, who is the immediate past and second archbishop of Jos, made the call at the installation of Audu as the substantive archbishop of archdiocese on Tuesday in Jos.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Pope Francis had on Jan. 6 appointed Audu as the Catholic Archbishop of Jos.
Audu succeeded Kaigama who is now the Chief Shepherd of the Sea of Abuja.
NAN also reports that with the formal installation, Audu would serve as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Jos Ecclesiastical Province.
Kaigama, who served for 20 years as archbishop of Jos, said he was able to succeed because of the support rendered to him by successive administrations in the state, Catholics faithful and indeed all the people of the state.
“I want to most sincerely thank the various adminstration in Plateau, from Joshua Dariye, to Jonah Jang and to Simon Lalong, for supporting me during my stint as archbishop of Jos.
“The support of the lay faithful of this archdiocese, and the people of the state, both Christians and Muslims for all the support accorded to me when I was here.
“I wish to appeal that the same support and cooperation rendered to me be accorded to Archbishop Audu to also succeed.
“It is my fervent prayer that this new era, under Archbishop Audu, this archdiocese and the state will experience growth in faith, development, peace and progress,” he said.
The Cleric asked those he wronged during his stint in Jos to forgive him, adding that all the decision he took were for the growth and development of the archdiocese and the state.
“I urge those I may have offended as archbishop of Jos to forgive me.
“All I did as the chief shepherd of the archdiocese were for the good and best interest of the people; none was personal,” he said.
NAN also reports that Audu, before his recent appointment was the Bishop of Lafia Diocese.
Ordained Catholic priest in 1984, Audu was appointed first Bishop of Lafia Diocese on Dec. 5, 2000 and installed on March 31, 2001.
