A Historic Moment for Hausa Christians The First Catholic Bishop in Katsina
Governor Radda congratulates the Christian leadership for appointing Mamman Musa, a Hausa man, as the Catholic Bishop of Katsina, a predominantly Muslim state.
It is a rare and remarkable event in the history of Nigeria as Rev. Mamman Musa a 52-year-old Hausa man has been appointed as the Catholic Bishop of Katsina, a state where over 90 percent of the population are Muslims. He is the first Hausa man to become a Catholic bishop not only in Katsina but in the whole country.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, who is also a Muslim, has hailed the Christian leadership for installing Mamman Musa as the bishop. He said that the appointment is a sign of religious tolerance and harmony in the state. He also praised Mamman Musa for his dedication and service to the Catholic Church and the people of Katsina.
Mamman Musa’s journey to becoming a bishop is an extraordinary one. He was born into a Christian family, whose grandparents were converted by the missionaries of the Society of Missionaries of Africa (SMA) in 1934 . His father Emmanuel Musa was a teacher and a translator who translated the Bible and other Christian books from English to Hausa. His mother Maryam Musa was a nurse and a catechist.
Mamman Musa grew up in a hostile environment, where he faced discrimination and persecution for his faith and he was often called names and mocked by his Muslim peers. He also witnessed the destruction of churches and the killing of Christians during religious riots, he was once saved by a Muslim friend who hid him in his house during a violent attack.
Despite the challenges, Mamman Musa never gave up on his faith. He said that he felt a calling to become a priest since he was a child. He joined the SMA and studied philosophy and theology in Nigeria and Ghana. Mamman Musa was ordained a priest in 1999 and served in various parishes in Katsina and Sokoto, also taught at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) in Port Harcourt and obtained a doctorate degree in pastoral theology.
Mamman Musa said that he was surprised and humbled by his appointment as a bishop. I see it as a grace and a responsibility from God. And i hopes to be a bridge-builder and a peacemaker between Christians and Muslims in Katsina and beyond. I was inspired by the words of Pope Francis, who said that “dialogue is the only way for believers of different religions to build a culture of peace”.
Mamman Musa’s appointment as a bishop is a historic moment for Hausa Christians, who are a minority and often marginalized in northern Nigeria. It is also a testament to the diversity and unity of the Catholic Church, which transcends ethnic and religious boundaries. It is a challenge and an opportunity for both Christians and Muslims in Katsina to coexist peacefully and respectfully.
