Diocese of Kafanchan
| Diocese of Kafanchan Dioecesis Kafancanus | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Territory | southern portion of Kaduna State |
| Ecclesiastical province | Kaduna |
| Metropolitan | Kaduna |
| Coordinates | 9°35′00″N 8°18′00″E / 9.58333°N 8.30000°E |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 14,860 km2 (5,740 sq mi) |
| Population Total Catholics |
(as of 2022) 1,946,475 403,850 (20.7%) |
| Parishes | 58 |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Rite | Latin Rite |
| Established | July 10, 1995 |
| Cathedral | Saint Peter Claver Cathedral in Kafanchan |
| Secular priests | 123 |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Leo XIV |
| Bishop | Julius Yakubu Kundi |
| Map | |
| |
| Website | |
| www. CatholicDioceseofKafanchan | |
Diocese of Kafanchan — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan (Latin: Kafancan(us)) is a diocese located in the city of Kafanchan in the ecclesiastical province of Kaduna in Nigeria.
History
- July 10, 1995: Established as Diocese of Kafanchan from Metropolitan Archdiocese of Jos and Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kaduna
Special churches
The Cathedral is St Peter Claver's Cathedral in Kafanchan.
Leadership
- Bishops of Kafanchan (Roman rite)
- Bishop Joseph Danlami Bagobiri (1995-2018)
- Bishop Julius Kundi (2019- )
Persecution and insecurity
Due to its location, the Diocese of Kafanchan has been subjected to cases of persecution or violence committed against its faithful and members of the clergy. In 2022 a priest was murdered following a kidnapping. Fr Mark Cheitnum was the communications director for the diocese and was kidnapped along with Fr Donatus Cleopas. According to Cleopas, who managed to later escape his abductors, Fr Mark was finding it difficult to keep up with the group as they were being taken into the bush, and was shot dead by his kidnappers.[1]
Two more priests from Kafanchan diocese were kidnapped in 2022. Fr Emmanuel Silas and Fr Joseph Shekari were both eventually released.
On 7 September 2023, suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked and set fire to the rectory of St. Raphael Parish. The parish priest and his assistant were able to escape, but a seminarian, Na'aman Danlami, who was staying with them was burned to death.[2]
On 10 May Fr Magnus John Yatai was kidnapped, but managed to escape on the same day.[3] On 9 June 2024 Father Gabriel Ukeh was kidnapped from his parish, but was released the following day.[4]
Fr Sylvester Okechukwu was kidnapped from his residence on 4 March 2025 and found murdered the following morning.[5] On 24 April Fr Ibrahim Amos was kidnapped, but released on the following day.[6]
See also
Canonical status and jurisdiction
Roman Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan is a diocese of the catholic church of the Catholic Church.[7]
External links
References
- Back to citation ACN (2022-07-21). "Another priest killed in Nigeria". ACN International. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
- Back to citation ACN (2023-09-08). "A seminarian brutally murdered and another kidnapped in Nigeria". ACN International. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- Back to citation "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
- Back to citation Balog, Amy (2024-06-11). "Another Nigerian priest abducted". ACN International. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
- Back to citation d'Avillez, Filipe (2025-03-05). "Priest kidnapped and murdered in Nigeria". ACN International. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
- Back to citation "Rev. Fr. Ibrahim Amos Regains Freedom A Day After Abduction | AIT LIVE". 2025-04-27. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
- Back to citation Roman Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, official website