The Cross News

28/07/2025

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Wake Mass of the Funeral Rites of Late Rt. Revd. Msgr. Emmanuel Ka'ah Kure presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kaduna; His Grace Most Revd. Dr. M...

25/07/2025

Fr. Onyema Bids Emotional Farewell After Six Impactful Years at Catholic Social Centre, Kaduna

The serene atmosphere of the St. John Paul II Catholic Social Centre, Kaduna, was filled with heartfelt emotions on Thursday as the outgoing chaplain, Rev. Fr. Stephen Onyema, delivered a moving farewell speech, marking the end of his six-year pastoral mission at the Centre.

Speaking to a congregation of parishioners, friends, staff, and well-wishers, Fr. Onyema expressed deep gratitude, spiritual reflection, and appreciation for the journey shared with the community during his time at the chaplaincy.

“When I arrived here six years ago, I came with the desire to serve, to listen, to walk with you in faith, and to be a humble instrument in God’s vineyard,” he said. “Looking back now, I see not just years gone by, but a journey shared one filled with grace, laughter, challenges, and growth.”

Quoting from Romans 8:25 and Philippians 1:3–5, the cleric emphasized patience, faith, and gratitude. He described the chaplaincy as more than just a place of worship, calling it a “living family” that embodied hospitality, love, dialogue, and compassion.

He acknowledged the unwavering support of the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, for entrusting him with the spiritual care of the Chaplaincy, as well as the management and staff of the Centre. Special thanks were also extended to the Chaplaincy executives led by John Raphael, Adejoke Adeyinka, Elizabeth Bakery, Susan Mbateleve, and Elizabeth Ayuba.

Fr. Onyema also paid tribute to the broader community — parents, friends, and parishioners — who stood by him throughout his tenure.

“You have been more than a community; you have been a source of strength and encouragement for the past six years,” he noted.

As he prepares to move on to a new assignment, Fr. Onyema asked for continued prayers and pledged to carry the love and memories of the community with him.

He concluded his speech by invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, and St. John Paul II for continued guidance and protection.

The event was attended by dignitaries, members of the Catholic faithful, and associates of the Centre, who all described Fr. Onyema’s tenure as spiritually enriching and socially impactful.

His departure marks the end of an era for the Chaplaincy, as parishioners now look ahead to a new chapter with hope and prayerful anticipation.

22/07/2025

ORIENTATION INTO THE PASTORAL LIFE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF KADUNA FOR NEW PRIESTS ON 22ND JULY, 2025, AT THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL CENTRE, INDEPENDENCE WAY, KADUNA.

19/07/2025

27/06/2025

Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna Marks Silver Jubilee with the Priestly Ordination of 32 Deacons

A Historic Celebration of Grace and Mission

Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna, a beacon of priestly formation in Northern Nigeria, celebrated its 25th Anniversary (Silver Jubilee) with the priestly ordination of 32 deacons in a solemn and grace-filled liturgy held at the seminary grounds. On Thursday, 26th June, 2025.

The event, which took place in the presence of a large and devout congregation, was graced by the presence of over 500 priests, (comprising of alumnus and other priests from other dioceses and congregations) hundreds of Religious and Catechist, Bishops, and Archbishops from across the Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province and beyond, marking a significant milestone in the life of the seminary and the Church in Nigeria. His excellency the executive governor of Kaduna and Plateau State were equally present through their representatives respectively. Other religious leaders and Local chiefs were not left out, as well as rectors of other seminaries within the country. In attendance were the following bishops and archbishop; Most. Rev. Matthew Man’oso Ndagoso, Most. Rev. Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu, Most. Rev. John Nyiring, Most. Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Most. Rev. Julius Yakubu Kundi, Most. Rev. Luka Sylvester Gopep, Most. Rev. Gerald Mamman Musa, Most. Rev. Habila Tyiakwonaboi Daboh. All were warmly welcomed by the Rector of the Seminary, Very. Rev. Fr. Joel Haruna Usman, PhD.

The ordaining prelate was His Excellency, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Section for First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches at the Dicastery for Evangelization in the Vatican. In his homily, Archbishop Nwachukwu exhorted the ordinandi to remain faithful to the mission of Christ and to be ministers of hope in a world in desperate need of light, service, and authentic witness. He exhorted them to be fishers of men. Just like Jesus instructed his disciples to go into the deep to catch fish. So they must go and do likewise. Fish men from the world and bring them to Christ, not to themselves. And like John the Baptist, they must direct people to Christ. So the center of their ministry must be Christ Jesus. Added to his exhortation, he noted that, the only way they can be Good Shepherds, is when they align themselves in obedience to the directives and shepherding of their local ordinary, the bishop who is the chief shepherd of their dioceses.

Also in attendance was His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, who joined other bishops and clergy in commending the seminary for its steadfast commitment to the Church’s mission of forming holy, learned, and pastoral priests.

The ordination ceremony was both a celebration of God’s faithfulness over 25 years of priestly formation and a prophetic witness to the Church’s vibrant growth in the northern region. The newly ordained priests are a fruit of years of dedicated formation, prayer, and pastoral preparation, and will now be sent forth to labor in the Lord’s vineyard.

We give thanks to God for the abundant blessings poured out during this momentous occasion and pray that the newly ordained priests will be faithful shepherds after the heart of Christ.

Ad multos annos to Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna!

Fr. Pascal Salifu
26/06/2025

27/06/2025

26/06/2025

Ordination of Theology IV Class and other Candidates within and outside the Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province by the ordaining Prelate: His Excellency Most Rev. Fortunatus Nwachukwu [Secretary Dicastery for Evangelization] with all the Catholic Bishops of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province to mark the Grand Finale of the 25 Years Silver Jubilee Celebration of Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Buwaya, Kaduna. Part 2

26/06/2025

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Ordination of Theology IV Class and other Candidates within and outside the Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province by the ordaining Prelate: His Excellency Most Rev....

26/06/2025

Ordination of Theology IV Class and other Candidates within and outside the Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province by the ordaining Prelate: His Excellency Most Rev. Fortunatus Nwachukwu [Secretary Dicastery for Evangelization] with all the Catholic Bishops of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province to mark the Grand Finale of the 25 Years Silver Jubilee Celebration of Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Buwaya, Kaduna.

20/06/2025

Pictorial: from the 2nd Education Summit held on 20th June,2025 , at the Catholic Social Centre, Independence Way,Kaduna.

20/06/2025

Press Conference

By Very Rev. Fr. Joel Haruna Usman, PhD. Rector of Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna On the Occasion of the Silver Jubilee Celebration 20th June 2025

Protocol:

It is with profound gratitude to Almighty God and a deep sense of joy that I welcome you to this press conference on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna. Today, we do not simply mark the passage of 25 years; we celebrate a journey of grace, sacrifice, perseverance, and mission.

Since its establishment, Good Shepherd Major Seminary has remained a beacon of hope and a centre of priestly formation in northern Nigeria. It is here that young men, called by God, are shaped intellectually, spiritually, pastorally, and in human capacity to become faithful and courageous shepherds of Christ's flock.

1. A Time to Remember and Give Thanks

This Jubilee calls us to look back in thanksgiving and to look forward in hope. In the past twenty-five years, despite the many trials and tribulations that have come our way, we have witnessed the steadfastness of God's grace and the commitment of the Church.

Hundreds of priests have passed through this Seminary and now serve in dioceses across Nigeria and beyond-proclaiming the Gospel in parishes, teaching in schools, healing in hospitals, guiding communities, and even rising to positions of ecclesial leadership. Many are formators and missionaries. All are part of this Seminary's living legacy.

2. A Seminary Tested by Fire

Our journey has also been marked by suffering. On 8th January 2020, our Seminary was attacked by armed terrorists. Four seminarians were abducted in a moment that plunged our community into fear and sorrow. Though three were eventually released, one -Michael Ikechukwu Nnadi, a 19-year-old seminarian of the Diocese of Sokoto-was killed for his faith and witness.

Michael's life and death were a powerful testimony to courage in the face of evil. Today, his body rests within our Seminary grounds. His grave stands as a sacred reminder of the cost of discipleship and the kind of priests we must continue to form: not men of comfort, but men of conviction-shepherds who will not flee in the face of danger.

3. Celebrating the Jubilee Events
In celebration of this milestone, we have organised the following events:

24th June 2025 Meeting of the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Kaduna

th 24 June 2025 - General Meeting of the Alumni of Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna.

25th June 2025 - Gala Night and Fundraising Event, in support of the Jubilee Project at Epitome Hotel in Barnawa, Kaduna.

26th June 2025 - Grand Finale and Priestly Ordination of thirty-one deacons, presided over by His Excellency, Most Rev. Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary, Section for the First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization, at the Seminary Grounds

We warmly invite alumni, benefactors/benefactresses, friends of the Seminary, and the wider faithful to participate in these celebrations, which will be rich in thanksgiving, reflection, and communal joy.

4. The Jubilee Project: Building for the Future

The Good Shepherd Major Seminary has made giant strides so far as an institution, but there is still much to be done, especially in terms of infrastructure. We appreciate the efforts and contributions of our proprietors, the Bishops of Kaduna ecclesiastical province. We need the collective efforts of local benefactors/benefactresses, corporate organizations, and the government to support the Seminary's growth.

We appreciate donor agencies from overseas immensely, but we need to strive as a local Church to be self-sufficient. In this Jubilee year, I appeal for special assistance to realize the vision of the founders and support the work of the Formators, staff, seminarians, and the host community. Together, we can ensure that this Seminary remains a cradle of learning and formation of conscience for generations to come.

As part of this Jubilee celebration, we are launching the Jubilee Project-a major initiative aimed at the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the Seminary's mission.

At the centre of this project is the construction of a new Formators' Rectory, designed to provide a dignified and functional residence for the priests who serve as formators. These men give their lives daily to the intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral development of seminarians. It is only fitting that they be accommodated in a facility that reflects the importance of their work.

The projected cost of this building is #610,816,390 (Six hundred and ten million, eight hundred and sixteen thousand, three hundred and ninety naira). It is a significant undertaking, but one that is essential for the Seminary's future.

Over the years, the development of the Seminary has been supported by the remarkable generosity of foreign benefactors/benefactresses and international partners. Their support has enabled us to erect classrooms, chapel, library, and students' hostel, one is still ongoing. We remain deeply grateful for their partnership in this mission.
Now, we make a special appeal to our alumni-sons of this Seminary-to rise in support of their alma mater. This Jubilee is your story too. We also invite all people of goodwill, both within and outside Nigeria, to contribute generously. Every donation, no matter the size, is a gift toward the future of the Church.

5. Supporting the Jubilee Project

To facilitate donations, the Seminary's official account details will be made public during the Grand Finale and will appear in the printed programme and on our official website. This ensures openness, convenience, and accountability.

Account Name: Good Shepherd Major Seminary

Bank Name: Zenith Bank

Account Number: 1017802036

Purpose: Jubilee Project Support

For enquiries or special arrangements, please contact: 07030944668/08034510664

We sincerely thank in advance all who will contribute. You are not just donors-you are co-builders of the Kingdom of God.

6. A Seminary Serving Church and Nation

Good Shepherd Major Seminary is not only a house of formation-it is also a beacon of hope in a region often marked by insecurity, economic hardship, and social tension. The Seminary stands for peace, truth, discipline, and dialogue.

By forming priests rooted in integrity, prayer, and pastoral love, we are forming leaders who will bring healing, reconciliation, and wisdom to a wounded world. In doing so, the Seminary also makes a vital contribution to the moral and spiritual life of our nation.

7. A Word of Appreciation

On behalf of the Seminary community, I wish to thank the Catholic Bishops of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province, for their enduring support. I also express deep gratitude to the formators, academic and non-academic staff of the Seminary, religious communities, benefactors/benefactresses, alumni, and lay collaborators, and in a very special way, the security personnel that are keeping the Seminary safe. Your commitment and sacrifices have made this Jubilee possible.

This celebration will be incomplete without expressing our special appreciations to His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, the former Executive Governor of Kaduna State, for donating the land on which the Seminary is being built and for providing electricity to the institution. We are also honoured to have the support of the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty. His Excellency's encouragement reflects the universal Church's commitment to the growth of this institution. We deeply appreciate his role in strengthening the bond between our Seminary and the Holy See.

I also extend my gratitude to the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle (POSPA), Rome, which has significantly shouldered the Seminary's running costs, Aid to the Church in Need International (ACN), to Missio, AACHEN, Germany, the Archdiocese of Cologne, Germany, His Royal Highness, Agwa Atyap, Sir Dominic Yahaya, KSM, many other Local Donors, for their contributions to the structural development.
I thank the women body [Zumunta Mata, Catholic Women Organization (CWO)], Catholic Men Organization (CMO), the Knights and their Ladies, All Lay Organizations, and numerous others, both local and international for their continuous support.

8. Invitation to the Media

To our colleagues in the media, we thank you for your presence and your partnership. We count on your support in helping us tell this story-of a Seminary that has endured, served, and flourished by the grace of God. Your voices will carry this message far beyond our walls and awaken many to the beauty and urgency of priestly formation in our time.

Conclusion

As we celebrate this Silver Jubilee, we renew our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who continues to guide our path. We pray that the Seminary will remain a place where vocations are nurtured, truth is pursued, and the Church in Nigeria is continually renewed.

May Mary the mother of the Church prays for us.

May God bless this Seminary, and may God bless you all.

Thank you very much for your rap attention.