By correspondent in Minna.
Family members, friends, and well-wishers gathered to witness a monumental celebration in Kontagora Diocese, Niger State, north central Nigeria,filling the day with joy, love, and faith.
The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, conducted a mass wedding, uniting 21 couples in holy matrimony. This momentous occasion was held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, located in Nsanji Nkoso, Magama Local Government Area.
In addition to the wedding ceremony, nearly 400 parishioners received the sacrament of confirmation, officially joining the ranks of full-fledged members of the Catholic Church.
Speaking to the gathered crowd, Bishop Yohanna explained the importance of formalizing relationships in the eyes of the Church. “Marriage is not just about cohabitation or relying solely on traditional customs. It’s about a formal, Christian union, blessed by God,” he emphasized. He noted that many couples had been relying on traditional rites, but the blessing of the sacrament was essential to fully sanctify their union.
“For a marriage to be recognized in the Christian faith,” the Bishop continued, “it must be sealed by both the traditional payment of dowry and the sacramental blessing in church. Only then can a couple truly be seen as married in the eyes of God.”
As the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Yohanna encouraged the couples to embrace this blessing as an official and lifelong commitment. “Marriage is meant for two adults who love each other and are prepared to navigate both the joys and challenges of life together,” he said. “It is not a decision to be made lightly, especially for the younger generation, who may not be ready to carry the weight of such responsibility.”
The Bishop’s words echoed the deep importance of love and companionship as the foundation of marriage. “Marriage is a lifetime commitment, only separable by death, and it should be built on mutual love and respect.”
Rev. Fr. Francis Yasak Joshua, the Parish Priest, shared that the 21 couples had completed their traditional
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
