Nigerian Prelate Tests Positive for COVID-19, Advises Citizens to Go for Testing

In Africa, the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), Phillip Cardinal Ouédraogo, tested positive for the virus in April and later recovered. Earlier, in March, the Vicar Apostolic of Ethiopia’s Gambella Vicariate, Bishop Angelo Moreschi, succumbed to the virus.

Church leaders in Nigeria have sent goodwill messages to Bishop Mamza following the news of his illness, praying for his speedy recovery.

In their collective message, the leadership of the Catholic Broadcast Commission, Nigeria implore, “Loving Father, you send us Shepherds to guide us in our spiritual life. We thank you for the gift of this shepherd who has never failed in leading your flock that you have entrusted to him. In this time of Pandemic, he is not spared from the dangers of this disease as he continues his ministry.”

“We lift up to you our beloved bishop, Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza, Grant him healing and strength. May he always find refuge in your loving care,” they add in their Sunday, August 23 Facebook post.

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri describes Bishop Mamza as “a man of faith that has never given up on the power of The Almighty God to do the impossible” and further says that he believes the Prelate “would come out stronger from this trial.”

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“Our thoughts are with Bishop Dami Mamza at this trying period. I am optimistic that he will be fine because testing positive is not a death sentence,” said the Governor.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.