GBOKA, Nigeria — The Catholic Diocese of Gboko in Nigeria has suspended operations at three schools, a parish, and a hospital amid persistent insecurity in the area, expressing regret that the unavoidable suspension will affect communities.
The institutions listed in a pastoral letter and decree issued Oct. 12, include St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, the hospital chaplaincy, Subin Mind Care Center, and St. Winifred Parish, all located in Ihugh within the diocese.
The decree, which took effect immediately provides for the withdrawal of all diocesan personnel serving in the affected institutions, including priests, consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers, teachers, medical personnel, and administrative staff.
In the decree, Bishop William Amove Avenya directs that the personnel be reassigned or redeployed, adding that no one would be permitted to resume duties or exercise ministry on behalf of the diocese in Ihugh without his written authorization.
The decree states that the closure is “temporary in intent, though indefinite in duration,” and will remain in force until the bishop, in consultation with his advisers, determines that conditions for a safe return have been met.
According to the decree that he co-signed with the diocese’s chancellor, Father Marcellinus Wende, the decision to reopen the institutions will be communicated through a further decree.
The pastoral letter indicates that the closures follow repeated attacks, destruction of property, and other security incidents affecting Catholic institutions in Ihugh.
Among the incidents cited are the burning of student hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on Oct. 28, and on OCt. 11, May 10 ,and May 15 of this year.
The diocese also cites repeated burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital.
The letter further recalls disturbances during the hospital’s reopening on June 21, 2024, when members of the local community displayed placards and chanted slogans declaring that they no longer wanted Catholic religious sisters to work in Ihugh.
“These acts are identified as part of a systemic pattern of hostility and destruction directed at Church-owned properties,” Avenya says, adding that the incidents had left fear, loss, and uncertainty among those serving in and depending on the institutions.
The bishop said the diocese had pursued dialogue and reconciliation before deciding to suspend operations.
According to the letter, diocesan representatives met with members of the host community, engaged traditional rulers and elders, and presented their concerns to civil and security authorities. However, these efforts had not secured the peace and guarantees of safety required for the institutions to continue operating.
“The Church cannot, in conscience, continue to expose her priests, consecrated persons, teachers, technical medical personnel, students and patients to danger,” the bishop said.
Despite the closures, the bishop outlined measures to support those affected. Students at the secondary, primary, and nursery schools will be assisted, as far as possible, to continue their education at other Catholic schools within the diocese, with further details to be provided by the director of Catholic Education Services.
Patients receiving care at St. Thomas Hospital will be referred to other health facilities, with arrangements made for the proper handover of those requiring urgent medical attention.
The diocese has also pledged to treat affected staff with justice and charity, in accordance with Church teaching on the dignity of labour.
In the pastoral letter, Avenya called on the people of Ihugh, traditional rulers, youth leaders, government officials, and law enforcement agencies to work towards restoring peace and ensuring the protection of lives and property. He also urged authorities to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.
“We bear no ill will toward our brothers and sisters,” the bishop said, while condemning violence, arson, and destruction as contrary to the Gospel and the common good.
Avenya said a return to Ihugh would remain possible if there were genuine repentance, restitution, a firm commitment to peace and credible, lasting assurances of safety for Church personnel and property.
As part of its response, the bishop called on the faithful to pray for peace and reconciliation, further directing parishes to offer the Prayer of the Faithful and celebrate Holy Mass for peace. He also encouraged families to pray the rosary, and designated Friday, Oct. 23, as a day of prayer and fasting for reconciliation.
Avenya has been vocal about unprovoked attacks and the killing of innocent people in the country’s Benue State within his diocese.
In June last year, he painted a grim picture of nearly two decades of relentless violence, displacements, and suffering in one of Nigeria’s most troubled regions.
“For about 20 years, Benue State has witnessed serial killings, maiming, and ejection of thousands of indigenous people from their ancestral homelands, with their means of livelihood destroyed in the process,” the Nigerian bishop lamented in his statement titled, “A Cry of Anguish from the Benue Valley.”
He added, “Many of those forced out of their homes are living in the camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) under gravely dehumanizing conditions and are predominantly cared for by charities, while others are living with other people (mostly their relatives).”
Despite the grim picture, Avenya said, “What we need is peace, and this is not too much to ask for. The blame game has gone on for too long. It is time to act.”
This article was first published by ACI Africa, EWTN News’ sister service in Africa, and has been adapted for EWTN News English.