Despite having to leave, priest's message stays 

Father John Jatau, the parish priest at St. Columba Church, has left Durango. “God is great, all the time” was his greeting, his baseball hat said the same. You had to have known him to feel the impact of his greeting, his voice boomed loudly and smiled at the same time. 

Pentecost, May 24, was his last service in Durango. It was also my birthday. Father John walked through the church giving special blessings to those with birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. He also personally greeted all visitors and asked each one where they were from. He asked the visitor from Louisiana if he had brought any gumbo with him to church. 

I mention Father John, because he flew back to his home in Nigeria last week, a nation where armed bandits, ISIS and Boko Haram are hostile to priests. They are kidnapped and tortured for ransom. St. Columba parishioners said goodbye to Father John because the United States refused to extend his visa. 

For his last sermon, he reminded everyone that the language of the world is actually love, not anger or hate. With love, one can create peace when we embrace the talents of diversity of all nations and cultures to help one another.

His goodbye was beautiful and strong with optimism. To lessen my sadness, I rewatched his sermon on YouTube, but I’m still sad. Father John was no criminal and never the “worst of the worst.” He cared and loved all he met in Durango.

– Barb Day, Durango