By Solomon Bako

The Archbishop of Kaduna Most Revd. Dr. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso has dedicated the new Church building of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Karji.

Before handing over the new Church building to the Archdiocese of Kaduna through the Archbishop, Mrs. Kande Orukpe who is a link between the donor and the Church, stated that, the project started in 2018 during Revd. Fr. Joseph Santus Ukende (the then Parish Priest). When she approached him and discussed the intention of the donor (anonymous). She said, the man of God was so happy with the development and told her to give him little time to discuss with the Parish Pastoral Council. He did and got back to her.

She continued by saying that; since when the project started and to its completion, money was never given to an individual not even the past and present Parish Priests but from the donor to those who handled the project. She pleaded that, the donor still wants to remain anonymous. She thanked Fr. Joseph Ukende for his encouragement and support. She appreciated Very Revd. Fr. Raymond Nandem, Parish Pastoral Council and the entire Parishioners for their Prayers and cooperation and the Archbishop for his fatherly guidance, support and for coming to commission the new Church building. Concluded by presenting keys of the Church to the Archbishop and the Archbishop then presented to the Parish Priest Very Revd. Fr. Raymond Nandem.

The Archbishop Most Revd. Dr. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso congratulated the Catholic community in Karji over the dedication of the beautiful edifice. He stated that St. Paul’s Karji is one of the fast developed Parishes in the Archdiocese. He said, the people continued to worship in a very small Church building until God brought this woman of God Mrs. Kande Orukpe when she Started worshiping in Karji from her former Parish Our Lady’s Independence Way. He continued that, Mrs. Orukpe has contributed a lot in developing many Parishes in the Archdiocese and here in Karji presenting a beautiful edifice to the Church from a donor himself don’t know.

He said, the donor may not be as wealthy as we think. That she donated the church building not because she is wealthy but because she has the heart of charity and a heart of caring. According to the Archbishop, the donor would have chose to build a hotel or a modern supermarket where she will be making money. The Archbishop called on wealthy individuals to store their treasures in heaven by being generous. If only we all have the heart of generousity as that of the donor, our resources will go round and no one will go to bed empty stomach.

He prayed that God bless and keep the donor and her family. Kaduna State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria Revd. Caleb Maji on behalf of the Christian community in Kaduna State; congratulated the Archbishop, Fr. Raymond and Parishioners of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Karji over the dedication of the Church.

He said we are one in the body of Christ; we should do everything possible to strengthening the bond between us. He then prayed that the pocket of the donor will never run dry.

Chief Imam of Babban Saura Central Mosque Alh. Mohammed Lawal Abubakar congratulated the Christian community in Karji over the dedication of the Ultra Modern Church. He said, we should not allow anyone to deceive us; we are from same source Adam and Eve. That some of the politicians have succeeded in dividing us along religion and ethnicity, we must unite to conquer them.

The Parish Pastoral Council Chairman Sir Ayuba Avong in his welcome address thanked the Archbishop, and showed his gratitude to have him perform this very important function of the dedication of the Church in Karji. He stated that the Archbishop is always been available for his flock especially for them in Karji.

The Parish Priest Very Revd. Fr. Raymond Nandem commented that; the Church is been dedicated and consecrated for worship of God. Here we shall always gather to commune with God and with one another. For God always inhabits the worship and fellowship of His people. He concluded by thanking the Archbishop for his wonderful support and leadership in the Archdiocese and for coming to dedicate the Church. He acknowledged the great effort of Mrs. Kande Orukpe for her love and vision for the Parish.

The Church started as an Outstation of Sacred Heart Parish, Narayi in the year 1991, was later merged with St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Kamazou in the year 2012. The Church was elevated to Independent Mission from 2015 to 2016 With Revd. Fr. George Atung as the Priest in-charge of the Pastoral Area from 2016 to 2018. The Church was given a Parish status in January, 2018 with Revd. Fr. Joseph Santus Ukende as the Parish Priest.