Bishop Mathew Kukah and Pope Francis
The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah has bagged new appointment from Pope Francis.
It was gathered that the Pope appointed Bishop Kukah as a member of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Promotion of Human Integral Development.
According to a letter from the Vatican’s top brass, Kukah would join his global counterparts in the Dicastery to advise and promote the Pope’s concerns.
The Bishop is expected to advise Pope Francis on justice, peace, human rights, torture and human trafficking.
A reverend father and the Spokesman of the Sokoto Diocese, Christopher Omotosho said Bishop Kukah’s latest appointment adds to his string of national and international engagements within the universal Church.
Omotosho noted that the appointment is renewable for an initial period of five years.
You will recall that Bishop Kukah’s Christmas message generated mixed reactions when he criticized the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration (read more here).
Reacting, the Acting Chairman of the Muslim Solidarity Forum, Sokoto State chapter, Prof. Isa Muhammad Maishanu said Kukah’s message could trigger religious violence.
Maishanu said Kukah accused Muslims of possessing a violence character.
The Forum which comprises Muslim scholars and clerics, described Kukah’s message as a direct attack on Islam and Muslims, especially those from the northern part of Nigeria.