The Most Rev. Antonio Filipazz has ordained Dr. John Bakeni as the first indigenous auxiliary Bishop of the Maiduguri Diocese.
Performing the consecration, yesterday (Thursday), in Maiduguri, Rev. Filipazz charged Bakeni to use his good office, as a Bishop, to build the body of Christ for his Church. The consecration ceremony was performed at the St. Patrick Catholic Church, Maiduguri, Borno state. He said that this will make the Church to continue to remain in unity with other Bishops. According to him, the title of Bishop in the Catholic; is one of service to the people with honour.
“A Bishop should always strive to benefit others rather than load it over them,” he said, noting that such is the precept of the Master, where the greater should behave as the least, while the ruler remains the servant. He, therefore, urged Bakeni to preach the word in and out of season, stating that there should be reprove with all patience.
“There should also be a sound teaching for the benefit of the Catholic family,” he declared. Continuing, he added: “As the Church entrusted you; be a faithful steward, moderator, and a guardian of the mysteries of Christ our Lord.
“Love all whom God placed in your care, especially priests and deacons, your co-workers in the ministry of Christ,” including the poor and the weak, immigrants and strangers.
He also charged the newly consecrated Bishop to guide the holy people of God in the way of salvation as a devoted father and sustain them with the help of his fellow ministers, priests and deacons.
He added that he should equally guide the faithful by remaining the repository of faith as well as incorruptible, as handed down by the Apostles.
“They should be preserved in the Church everywhere and at all times,” he said.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria also reminded the Bakeni to entrust with the task of bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel and the ministry of the Spirit and Justice.
Responding, Bishop Bakeni thanked all the participants for attending the ceremony and urged them to continue to pray for him.
He said that since the Pope graciously nominated him as an assistant, as requested by His Lordship, Most Rev. Oliver Dashe Doeme of Maiduguri Diocese, he would remain loyal to him and be dedicated in the Lord’s Vine yard.
Bakeni was born on 15th March, 1975 in Kiri village of Shellang Local Government Area of Adamawa state.
He was ordained a Priest on 17th August, 20o2 at St Patrick’s Cathedral Maiduguri, after he attended various theological studies within and outside the country, before his new appointment as Auxiliary Bishop on 12th April, 2022 by His Holiness, Pope Francis.
Dozens of Bishops and Archbishops also attended the consecration of Bakeni, including Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour party.
