  We present evidence for a strong correlation between the gaseous absorbing
column density towards type 2 Seyfert nuclei and the presence of a stellar bar
in their host galaxies. Strongly barred Seyfert 2 galaxies have an average Nh
that is two orders of magnitude higher than non-barred Sy2s. More than 80% of
Compton thick (Nh>10^24 cm^-2) Seyfert 2s are barred. This result indicates
that stellar bars are effective in driving gas in the vicinity of active
nuclei.
