ACN Nigeria Project Visit – Day 5

This morning, we drove out of Katsina city centre and came to a halt next to an empty plot of land. It was nothing but a patch of earth. We were invited to get out of the vehicle and as soon as we did, the security detail fanned out and formed a security cordon, armed and ready, constantly scanning the horizon for threats. We weren’t at all sure quite why we were standing in this empty space but then our hosts explained. The hosts – who can’t be named for security reasons – stated that this site had the potential to be the location of an extremely important resource for the local Christian community – be it a hall, administrative offices etc. The main point that our hosts wanted to get across was the huge obstacles in getting government permission to erect buildings connected with promotion of the Christian faith. He explained that the area had repeatedly fallen victim to riots in which the militants had turned on Christians, targeting Christian shops and businesses. But he said the Christian people were defiant. “The more they try to suppress us, the more we raise our heads up.” For this reason, he said they would persevere with the plans and hopefully obtain the necessary government permit for the structures they have in mind.

From Katsina, we travelled south to Malumfashi. Located in the southern part of the Diocese of Katsina, nearly 75 percent of the 20,000 of Catholics in the region are split between Malumfashi and Funtua, a town and district not far away. I remember staying the night in Malumfashi back in 2013 and was looking forward to returning. ACN has given huge support not only for the catechists training centre in Malumfashi but also to structures to build up the pastoral centre there which serves the whole diocese. As we drove in, we encountered a stadium of thousands of women from across the diocese who had gathered for a time of prayer and reflection. These women were astounding. Their energy, their cheer and their sheer musicality was plain to see as we were welcomed in, complete with devotional songs and music that created the sense you were entering a music festival.

ACN is creating an adoration centre here so more people can come and draw strength from one another and from the Lord in the form of Word and Sacrament. Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa of Katsina showed us around the centre under construction, with details provided bu William Danbukta, the architect. As we walked in and saw the vast crowds gathered there, one of the women gave me the most enormous smile and shouted: “In the name of Jesus, welcome! You are most welcome.” After the tension and strain of Katsina where the environment was heavy with a sense of oppression it was like unleashing a champagne cork to encounter this euphoric enthusiasm and unbridled good cheer.