Bishop Mamza’s concern for suffering human being is admirable, but is it really an act of charity for him as a Catholic bishop to build a house of worship in which the Trinity, divinity of Christ, incarnation, and salvation of Christ are denied? Is it really wise for him as a Christian leader to build a house of worship in which the alleged divine command to make war against and subjugate Christians will be preached? Would Muslims ever build a church for displaced Christians? The answer to the latter question is no, because they consider Christianity to be idolatrous and thus don’t think they’d be doing any favors to the Christians in question by building them a church. But such concerns don’t go in the other direction. In the long term, if both communities retain these views, which one will grow and which one will diminish?
“‘I did it from the bottom of my heart’: Catholic Bishop in Nigeria on Building Mosque for Displaced Muslims,” by Abah Anthony John, ACI Africa, June 9, 2025:
Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza of Nigeria’s Catholic Diocese of Yola has defended his decision to build a mosque for Muslims displaced by Boko Haram insurgency, and underscored his commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of the Diamond Jubilee of Nostra Aetate, the October 1965 Vatican II Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian religions, which the Department of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) organized, Bishop Mamza recounted the sacrifices and backlash that have marked his efforts to foster religious harmony in Nigeria.
“At the height of the crisis in Adamawa State, thousands of people fleeing insurgent violence sought refuge in the Catholic Cathedral in Yola,” Bishop Mamza recalled during the June 6 interview.
He went on to recall, “We closed our Catechetical Training Center, our Pastoral Center, our primary and secondary schools, and every available space was converted into a shelter. Both Christians and Muslims slept side by side in the Cathedral. There was no discrimination. At that time, everyone was just a victim seeking refuge.”
Between 2014 and 2018, Yola Diocese hosted hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Realizing that many could not return to their destroyed or unsafe communities, Bishop Mamza led a long-term initiative that resulted in the construction of the Salama Housing Estate….
Although the estate included a church, a school, and a clinic, Bishop Mamza realized the community still lacked a mosque.
“I looked at the community and saw that while we had built a Church for the Christian residents, our Muslim brothers and sisters had no mosque. It was only fair, given that they were part of the same community, some even from the same families. I decided to build a mosque using funds from the Diocese of Yola,” the Catholic Church leader said.
The decision was met with criticism from some Christians and Muslims.
“I was persecuted. Some Christians were upset that I had built a mosque, saying it was inappropriate. But what shocked me more was that some Muslims said a Christian should not build a mosque. That hurt more than the criticism from Christians,” Bishop Mamza recalled.
Still, Bishop Mamza stood by his decision. “I did it from the bottom of my heart, with pure intentions. The people who benefited from the gesture, the displaced, the victims of insurgency, were happy. And that’s what matters,” he said….
Kevin Kraemer says
A fool and his money is soon parted.
Tony says
This fool fails to do his job which is to preach the gospel. Instead, this Catholic bishop aids Islam, the Beast enemy of Christianity and the world. Allah teaches and promotes terrorism, hatred, and violence by Muslims against Jews and Christians because infidelity, unbelief, and blasphemy are a CRIME AGAINST ALLAH(Quran 9:29; 60:4; 98:6-7; and more). Allah in Quran 5:51 says, “O you who have believed[Muslims], do not take the Jews and the Nasara(Christians) as friends. They are friends to one another. And whoever among you takes them as friends, so surely he is of them. Surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.” See also Quran 2:63-65; 3:115; 4:144; 5:59-60, 82; 7:166. Allah
somehistory says
Yes, he is aiding and abetting the enemy of God Almighty, Jesus Christ and Christians.
Thomas Hulting says
Thou shalt have NO OTHER Gods BEFORE ME! WHERE do you suppose that comes from?
gravenimage says
I doubt that Bishop Mamza understand that the vicious “Allah” has nothing to do with God.
somehistory says
I lot of people give to charity. Some give without any idea how the money is spent (a lot of charity money goes to the people running it and little to the ’cause’)
this guy is probably using money donated to the church to build a barracks for those who would easily kill him and the other Catholics (and they may yet do that)
So, shouldn’t he know more about those he is supporting?
No excuses are good enough.
Rufolino says
This Catholic bishop is simply taking a page out of the late Pope Francis’ book. What Francis called “inter-faith dialogue”.
In an act of “rapprochement” the Pope kissed the Grand Mufti on both cheeks, one of the most foolish and most repulsive things I have witnessed.
Islam was probably laughing.
Jinx says
A dimwit, I dare say.
somehistory says
Firstly, there is no *faith* in islime. The adherents do not act on **faith.**
Faith is knowing what can’t be seen, trusting in what is to come without seeing with the literal eyes, but knowing that one day, it will be seen.
Since there is no “faith” in islime, there cannot be “interfaith” anything. What good is there in speaking lies?
Any ‘displaced’ mozscums realize they are at a disadvantage, and so remain in a temporary *peace* with others, in this case Catholics; ‘sleeping side by side.’
However, this fool is giving them the *power* by building a barracks where they can plan and scheme.
They will not appreciate the gesture.
And, most importantly, they will not get the idea that Christianity is superior to islime, and that Jesus Christ is the One to follow as He offers Life, while their so-called ‘prophet’ offers only death.
They will remain in darkness instead of being led to the Light.
Jesus said to preach “the good news of the Kingdom,” and to “make disciples.” He did not say to help those in darkness to turn out any lights.
And Paul wrote about those having a ‘share with demons,’ and to not “eat and drink at the table with demons.”
This idiot should be focused on helping the many….thousands….of Christians being chased from their burning homes and slaughtered by mozscums all over his country.
He looks in his mirror and says to himself how *good* he is. Much like the late ‘pope.’
Jim Harmon says
Black on the outside, yellow on the inside.
gravenimage says
I think this Bishop is more misguided than cowardly.
John1 says
Why didn’t the oil rich Gulf states build them a mosque? They’re building them all over Western Europe and North America.
OLD GUY says
Yes they are installing bases (Mosques) all over Europe and the Americas to train the young boys and men on how to disrupt western civilization and kill non-islamic followers of Jesus.
Gurek says
Why should any non-Muslim care if Muslims don’t have mosques where they live? Christians are being murdered in this idiot’s country. In those mosques, just like the mosques everywhere, death and curse against Christians will be preached every friday. And the fact is that the Catholic church never cares about Christians. Their popes have kissed the quran, made apology for islamic terror and now they are shamelessly building mosques. An evil institute to the core.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Looks like the spirit of the late Pope Francis lives on within Bishop Mamza
Joe1 says
Yeah, but he was elevated to bishop by Benedict.
Deus Vult says
What a fool. This is the modern equivalent of putting out a welcome mat for the Babylonians. His credibility as an advocate for the Christians being slaughtered in Nigeria is completely vaporized in one step.
somehistory says
And so is his credibility as a Christian.
rick says
Muslims are carrying out a war on infidel Christians in Nigeria in the most horrible way. This is more than turning the “other cheek” but ignoring the systematic murder of Christians to make an offer to the Muslim religion.
somehistory says
Yes, by helping the murderers, he is making sure that more Christians will be sacrificed to the devil.
GE says
Again—play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
somehistory says
GE, I’ve been wondering how the congregation where he preaches? feel about this building program for those who hate Catholics.
Do they approve; have they given extra money (from what little they may have) so it can be built?
What about the Christians taking refuge in his church? What do they get?
GE says
Like we see time and time again, it only works one way.
Has anybody ever seen a Muslim build a church for displaced Christians?
Nah, me neither.
abu taleb says
Building the temple of evil means helping spreading the evil.
James Lincoln says
Bishop Mamza very likely “means well”, but what he is doing is both dangerous and stupid.
somehistory says
James, i believe that if one is going to put on the appearance of teaching the Bible, teaching the Truth about Christ, then that one should **know** what he is teaching.
Learning the Bible takes time, study, reasoning and lots of prayer. Some of it may be difficult to understand…Jesus said that His disciples would understand after they received the Holy Spirit. They misunderstood a lot; but then at Pentecost, they received the Holy Spirit and began to understand and to preach the good news to others.
Jesus also said that the ‘one receiving much’ would be judged accordingly.
This man is not only stupid, he’s leading the congregation astray and not really helping anyone by this building project. He’s only helping evil to spread.
‘The blind leading the blind” and “both fall into the pit.”
If he has not learned to ‘not give what is holy to dogs, nor throw pearls to swine,’ he should find another occupation. Because what Jesus said there, is pretty simple.
James Lincoln says
Agree 100%, somehistory.
Thanks for your informative reply.
gravenimage says
Nigeria: Catholic bishop builds mosque for displaced Muslims
…………………………………………………
More proof that the road to hell really is sometimes paved with good intentions.
Bret says
He really missed something in his theology /ministry degree !! What happened to the Jews who built altars to false gods. Hmmmmmmm.
Troybeam says
Misplaced Muslims, what a joke. Muslims are slaughtering Christians and all the person can think about is misplaced Muslims and give them a mosque, what a disgrace.
JA says
Is he really a Catholic bishop? Or a convert to Islam in secret?