Diocese of Pueblo: Visiting bishop gives thanks for Pueblo hospitality

My name is Most Rev Luka Sylvester Gopep, I am the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Minna in Niger State, Nigeria. I was born in 1965, in the small-town of Nemel Kalin in Plateau State, Nigeria, though my parents were originally from Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi State, North Central Nigeria. I am the youngest of six in my family.

After completing college, I taught in government primary schools, then relocated to Suleja, near Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria to teach at St. Mary Suleja Parochial school.  While there, I answered the call to become a priest, encouraged by my sister and her husband. I was admitted into St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Makurdi, Nigeria and later to St. Augustine’s Major Seminary, Jos, Nigeria. I was ordained to the priesthood on January 31, 1998.

In December 2018, I had the privilege of coming to the Diocese of Pueblo on sabbatical to ‘recharge’ myself for the pastoral challenges ahead of me in Minna Diocese, Nigeria.  This was my first time in United States.  My experiences in the Pueblo Diocese are memorable ones.  The Catholic Bishop of Pueblo welcomed me as a humble and simple brother. The priests and lay faithful were very welcoming, friendly, generous, and kind.  I had additional opportunities to visit the Diocese of Pueblo in subsequent years and minister in parishes in the cities of Florence, Westcliffe, Lamar, Holly, Springfield, Canon City, Alamosa, and Pueblo. Because of the love and concern I received in these parishes; I call the Diocese of Pueblo my ‘home away from home.’

In December 2020, I received my call to the Episcopal order, which was a humbling moment in my life. Indeed, it is God’s doing to have chosen a `common’ shepherd who was busy tending his brother’s sheep in a remote village in Nigeria to become a shepherd of God’s people.  My faith journey as a Christian in Nigeria to life as a bishop is the Lord’s doing, this is why I have chosen as my Episcopal motto `Yin Allah’ (God’s doing).

Becoming a Bishop opened another chapter in my faith journey. At first, I had a feeling of inadequacy for the work of a bishop. I remember being told that Jesus Christ called the weak apostles and was calling me. My work is to constructively cooperate with the graces of God.  It can be challenging and sometimes I even forget I am a bishop, making me appreciate those called before me. The added responsibilities of a bishop constantly bring me closer to the people of God, and the communities that I serve. They increase my faith daily in our Lord Jesus and help me to build closer relationships with Him.

As Bishops, priests, and Christians in Nigeria, it is a daily struggle to be ambassadors for Christ, because of the activities of Boko Haram and ISIS terrorist groups that are killing Christians in a different part of Minna Diocese. Earlier this year, Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi, a Priest of Minna Diocese was killed and burned in the rectory. Recently a priest and a seminarian working in a community were kidnapped.  Bandits are asking for ransom for them to be released. However, in these challenges, my personal daily encounter with Jesus in the blessed Sacrament, personal prayer and the Holy Eucharist celebration have kept me encouraged and strengthened on this journey of faith. Looking back to my humble background, I consider myself a privileged shepherd of the people of God.

Most Reverend Luka Sylvester Gopep is the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Minna, Nigeria

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Diocese of Pueblo: Visiting bishop gives thanks for Pueblo hospitality