The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala, His Lordship Most Revd Isaac Bundepuun Duguh, has issued a decree, declaring that the title of “Our Lady Queen of Sankera” be inserted in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the last title and invocation of Mary.
The Katsina-Ala Catholic Diocese, with Saint Gerard Majella as its patron saint, was erected on December 29, 2012.
The decree and declaration, issued on the memorial of John the Baptist Ordination, January 31, 2026, is titled “Decree for the inclusion of ‘Our Lady Queen of Sankera’ in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a Norm in the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala.
According to Bishop Duguh, the Diocese of Katsina-Ala is experiencing relative peace courtesy of Mary’s intercession.
Part of the decree reads: “To my sons and daughters in Christ and the Katsina-Ala Diocesan family.
“By the mercy of God and the authority of the Apostolic See, I decree and declare that the title of ‘Our Lady Queen of Sankera’, translated in Tiv as ‘Torkwase u Sankera’, be inserted in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the last title and invocation of Mary.
“Considering the rich tradition of Marian devotion in the Church, and the fittingness of honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary with this title, I hereby approve and establish this insertion for the greater glory of God and the spiritual well-being of the faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala.”
