Late Bishop Peter Adoboh, the first Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, who died on Feb.14 at a Catholic hospital in Abuja, was on Wednesday buried at the St Gerald Majella Cathedral in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 200 catholic priests and 24 bishops attended the burial.
NAN also reports that the late Bishop Adoboh, born on April 14, 1958, died of prostate cancer on Feb. 14 at the Saint Vincent Catholic Hospital, Kubwa, Abuja.
In his homily at the requiem mass, the Archbishop Emeritus, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, said Adoboh was a man of ” deep faith and spirituality,” which he shared effectively amongst his congregation.
The Archbishop Emeritus, who also officiated during the episcopal ordination of the bishop, took his scriptural text from the Gospel of St John 11:21-27.
He said Adoboh battled ill health and insecurity within his diocese all through his seven years of pastorship.
“General insecurity within the territory of the diocese, the tragic murderous exploits of all manners of criminals and bandits who operated with impunity on the diocesan population.
“He left no stone unturned in defending his people to seek peace and reconciliation,” he said
Also speaking, the President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) Most Revd Augustine Akubeze, said the death of Bishop Adoboh was a monumental loss to the church in Nigeria, especially the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala.
Akubeze, who oversees the Archdiocese of Benin, said the bishop would be remembered for his pastoral footprints.
“He was a man of peace and was at the forefront of mediating for peace in Katsina-Ala.
“We, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, will miss his contribution during our meetings. We pray that Adoboh will intercede on our behalf for politicians to fully fight corruption in Nigeria and find lasting solutions to insecurity in this part of the country,” he said
Earlier, Gov. Samuel Ortom in his welcome address described Adoboh as a man who stood for peace and justice till death.
Ortom recalled the pivotal role Adoboh played in the 2016 Amnesty Programme that recorded a huge success in the state.
He commended the CBCN for standing for the truth and always speaking truth to power and admitted that ” as leaders, we have failed the nation”.
He urged the Bishops to continue in their task of admonishing leaders anytime they go astray.
He assured all visitors and Benue residents of adequate security throughout their stay in the state.
NAN recalls that late Bishop Adoboh was ordained a Catholic priest on June 30, 1984, and appointed by the Holy Father, Pope Emeritus, Pope Benedict XVI as the first Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese on December 29, 2012.
He was ordained and installed as the bishop of the new diocese on Feb. 23, 2013.
Adoboh, before his death, had challenges of prostate enlargement, which developed into prostate cancer, on account of which, he had travelled to Italy, USA and Nigeria for medical care.
Some of the dignitaries at the burial were, the Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse, first-class chiefs, top echelon of the political class and a cross-section of the business community.