"Not a result of lightning": Catholic Priests in Nigeria on Cause of Colleague's Death

Katsina, 16 October, 2023 / 9:00 PM

Fr. Faustinus Gundu succumbed to “a natural sickness”; he was not struck by lightning, an official of the Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA) has said.

In a message shared with ACI Africa on Monday, October 16, the NCDPA Provincial Chairman, Fr Mchia Michael, faults news reports claiming that Fr. Gundu, who died on October 12 was struck by lightning while removing clothes from a washing line. 

Fr. Gundu was experiencing health challenges, which forced him to withdraw from some public functions since the beginning of the year, Fr. Michael says about the late member of the Clergy of Nigeria’s Katsina-Ala Diocese, who was serving as Parish Priest of St. Joseph Jootar Catholic Church of the Nigerian Diocese.

Fr. Michael adds, "Fr. Gundu has been in and out of the hospital. Recently, he got a little better and did a marathon tour of his Deanery and after that he went down again.” 

"The death of Fr. Faustinus Gundu is not a result of thunderstorm or lightning. Fr. died of a natural sickness that can kill anyone, the rich and the poor alike. The righteous and the unrighteous. Sinners and non-Sinners. The old and the young. Priests and the laity," the NCDPA Provincial Chairman emphasizes.

He goes on to explain events prior to the demise of the Nigerian Catholic Priest, saying, "It was on Thursday (October 12) at about 1pm that the rains were threatening, and in his usual way, Fr. went out to pick some clothes that were spread outside, and in the process slumped."

Fr. Gundu was taken to St. Anthony's Hospital Zaki Biam, about 30 kilometers away from the Parish “where he gave up the ghost at about 3:25 pm," says Fr. Michael.

He adds that "the Chancellor of the Diocese Fr. Fidelis Akumbul anointed him before his last breath, and Frs. Abiem, Ishimanyian, Atibee and Sr. Tongove were there." 

The death of Fr. Gundu has thrown the Diocese of Katsina-Ala "into shambles of sadness, and at the same time into electrifying ecstasy of happiness, because Fr Gundu has gone back to meet his Creator," the NCDPA Provincial Chairman further says.

He calls on people of God to pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Gundu.