A leadership workshop convened at St. Anthony of Padua Gidan Bala Parish this week, bringing together clergy, catechist s and parish leaders to translate recent formation learned in Nairobi into parish-level action.
The workshop, addressed to bishops, monsignors, very reverend and reverend frs, and parish leaders, was led Rev. Fr. Samaila Peter Chibi Organizers said the gathering is part of a deliberate effort to build a synodal Church in the Diocese by strengthening collaboration and shared responsibility beginning at the parish level.
The day-long session focused on practical leadership skills and pastoral strategies drawn from a formation program attended in Nairobi, Kenya by one of our priests Rev. Fr. Samaila P. .Chibi. Opening remarks acknowledged the presence of diocesan leadership and set a tone of collegiality and mission. Participants worked through facilitated sessions designed to convert theological principles into concrete parish practices, with emphasis on listening, mutual accompaniment, accountability, transparency and inclusive decision-making.
Organizers described the workshop’s central aim as fostering a synodal culture that starts in each parish and radiates outward across the Diocese. A core theme was the Matthews Gospel Matiyu : 23 : 11 the greatest among you must be servant of all and Mbuntu philosophy—summarized by the phrase “I’m because you are; you are because I am”—which the facilitators presented as a guiding ethic for parish life and collaborative ministry. Sessions explored how that philosophy can reshape parish councils, pastoral planning, and lay-clergy partnerships so that more voices are heard and shared responsibility is normalized.
Very Rev. Fr. Bulus Musa Bala served as the principal speaker and facilitator, drawing on the recent training atteded in Nairobi by Fr. Chibi to lead interactive modules. Rather than a purely didactic lecture, the workshop combined short presentations with group exercises, case studies, and action-planning segments so participants could immediately draft parish-level initiatives to implement on return.
Clergy and parish representatives reported strong engagement throughout the program. Several attendees highlighted the practical nature of the sessions and expressed optimism that the Mbuntu-inspired approach could strengthen parish unity and improve pastoral outreach. Organizers noted that the workshop intentionally targeted parish leaders so that momentum for synodality would be rooted in local communities.
Participants left the workshop with concrete commitments to pilot collaborative practices in their parishes, including revised meeting formats, listening sessions with lay faithful, and small working groups to implement pastoral projects. Organizers plan follow-up meetings to monitor progress and share lessons learned across the Diocese.
The St. Anthony of Padua Gidan Bala Parish ongoing workshop represents an early, parish-centered step toward a more synodal diocesan culture. By translating formation from Nairobi into local practice and centering the Mbuntu philosophy of mutual belonging, diocesan leaders hope to foster a Church that listens, walks together, and empowers all members to participate in mission.
