Catholic News
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NEWS HEADLINE
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Millions Storm Vatican …as Pope John XXIII, Pope John Paul II are canonized
Over three million pilgrims are expected to witness the canonization of two Catholic Pontiffs – Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II at the Vatican today, Mercy Sunday, April 27. Our correspondent said, across Rome and much of Italy, hotel rooms were booked beyond capacity and residents are taking in strangers who would otherwise be sleeping on the street. In addition to the over three million pilgrims, 19 heads of State and 24 Prime Ministers are expected to attend the ceremony. Most of the world 1.2 billion Catholics will watch the event on television. While much of the focus of today’s’ “dual canonization” will be on the globetrotting Pope John Paul II and his…
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Anambra Bishops slam Jonathan over insecurity
Two bishops in Anambra State have told President Goodluck Jonathan to do more to secure lives and property across the country in the face of increasing terror. The Anglican Archbishop on the Niger and Bishop of Aguata Diocese, the Most Rev. Christian Efobi and the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, said government’s efforts so far have proved to be inadequate. Ezeokafor who addressed newsmen at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Awka, said that this week’s abduction of over 100 students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State and the bomb explosions at Nyanya, Abuja in which at least 75 people died, were clear indications that more…
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CAN prays, fasts for abducted schoolgirls
Christians in Nigeria last Friday, April 25, 2014 stormed heaven with prayers and fasting for the release of the 273 students of Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, Borno State, whose whereabouts have remained unknown since their abduction by the Islamist insurgent Boko Haram, over two weeks ago. This was in response to the call for prayers by the Catholic Bishop of Kwara State, Most Rev. Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, the National Co-ordinator of “Nigeria Mothers Pray”, Pastor Esther Okorie and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. It would be recalled that CAN also declared last Friday as a day of fasting and prayer for peace, unity and progress of Nigeria. In a statement…
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Obama praises pope at Easter
President Barack Obama praised Francis during an Easter prayer breakfast at the White House, April 14. In his remarks, the president said he felt the spirit of the hope of the Resurrection and of following Jesus when he met Pope Francis on Mar. 27 at the Vatican. “Those of us of the Christian faith, regardless of our denomination, have been touched and moved by Pope Francis,” Obama said. “Some of it is his words — his message of justice and inclusion, especially for the poor and the outcast. He implores us to see the inherent dignity in each human being,” Obama said. “But it’s also his deeds, simple yet profound — hugging the homeless man,…
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Umar blasts Nyako over comments on genocide
The former military governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, has taken a swipe at Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, over his allegation on genocide. According to Umar, Nyako’s allegation that the Federal Government was engaging in genocide because of the security challenge in the North, was not only inciting but unbecoming of a retired military officer. The retired soldier expressed disappointment over Nyako’s comments, saying that the governor, as a retired military officer, should be aware of the weighty nature of his statement that President Goodluck Jonathan was responsible for alleged genocide in the North, as a result of the unabated insurgency by Boko Haram. He said: “The statement of Governor Murtala Nyako,…
FEATURES
Bizarre! Randy Pastor defies Mum, Daughter in Owerri – husband claims N100,000
A fraudulent and adulterous Pentecostal Pastor who has been having sexual relationship with a mother and her teen-aged daughter has been exposed and arrested. Pastor Wisdom (surname withheld) was picked up by the police Easter weekend and charged with receiving N100,000 from one Mr. Sylvester (surname withheld), a police officer, in order to cure his wife Mrs. Angela, a mother of six, from Ezinihitte Mbaise, of breast cancer. The Pastor due to be granted bail is the owner of a Church located along MCC/Uratta Road in Ebikoro, Umuoba in Owerri North Local Government Area, of Imo State. He is married with eight children who reside in Mbieri with their mother and merely visit the pastor….
CMO Set for 2014 Father’s Day
The Catholic Men Organization (CMO) of Maria Assumpta Cathedral Parish Owerri is set for this year’s Father’s Day which holds on Sunday May 4. A Press Release issued by the Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee, Mr. Emma Uzoka said the activities will feature football matches among the four Stations of the Parish, followed by a two-day seminar (April 28&29) to be moderated by Tony Obasi and Chief Donald Ekenta while a retreat holds on April 30 to be preached by the Administrator, Rev. Fr. Andrew Nkwocha. On Sunday, May 4, the Organization will raise funds for the building of St. Joseph Hall of Faith. Addressing the Planning Committee on Tuesday, the President of Assumpta CMO, Prof Dan…
Imo newspaper retirees to embark on demonstration – Over govt’s failure to settle their severance pay
Retirees of the Imo State Government owned Newspaper Company (The Statesman) plan to embark on an indefinite massive demonstration to register the deplorable condition in which their members are living as a result of government’s failure to settle their severance pay. They said that the untold hardship and sufferings they have been subjected to have caused the death of some of their colleagues. A notice to this effect was contained in a letter to the Executive Governor of Imo State dated March 10, 2014, titled Re: Notice of a peaceful demonstration by retirees of Imo Newspapers Owerri and signed by Mr. A. Iwuanyanwu, Senior Assistant General Secretary of the National Union of Printing, Publishing and…
Royal Rangers inaugurate Imo/Abia zone – Round-off 3-day drill course in Owerri
A three-day Drill Course for members of the Royal Rangers Security Organization (RRSO) has ended at the Bethel Seminary Nekede Owerri, the Imo State capital with the formal inauguration of the Imo/Abia Zone of the outfit. The highlight of the ceremony was the showcasing of their para-military drill skills by three squads of young men and women dressed in the marching uniform (official attire) of the organization. Commander Achebe Gbaminlar, National Commandant of Royal Rangers Nigeria who presided at the occasion took the salute during the march past which attracted a lot of ovations from the numerous crowd of spectators. During the inauguration of the new zone at the seminary hall which followed, the…
More APC members defect to PDP in Imo
More and more members of All Peoples Congress (APC) have continued to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The latest was the defection on April 22 of a foundation member of APC and Governor Okorocha’s Special Adviser on Inter-Party, Hon. Okey Dike from Isu LGA, Imo State. Earlier hundreds of APC members in Umunam Atta Community in Njaba Local Government area of Imo State were recently led back to the PDP by a leader of the APC in the area, Chief John Agbasi. Before then, the APC apex leader in Oru East and former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Cajetan Dike defected with his supporters to the PDP. Chief Agbasi who decamped…
Bishop Ukwuoma advocates for peace in Nigeria – at Chrism Mass
The clergy, religious and the lay faithful of the Diocese of Orlu on April 17, 2014 converged at the headquarters of the diocese to join the Local Ordinary, Most Rev. Augustine Ukwuoma to celebrate the 2014 Chrism Mass. The celebration featured the blessing of the Chrism oil which all the priests take to their various places of assignment for baptism and anointing of the sick. The priests on this day renew the promises they made during their ordination to remain loyal and supportive to the Chief Shepherd of the diocese. The Catholic Bishop of Orlu, Most Rev. Augustine Ukwuoma during his homily at the Mass said that Chrism Mass was in line with the directive…
Chrism Mass: Archbishop Obinna tasks priests on holiness …creates new parishes
Catholic priests have been called upon to continue to embrace holiness of life. The Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, who made the call while delivering a homily at this year’s Chrism Mass held at the Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, (Thursday,, April 17, 2014), encouraged priests to always adopt holiness of life as they perform the saving mystery on the altar and in other activities of their lives. The Archbishop said that the Chrism Mass recalls the anointing of the Apostles by Christ, the same anointing which the priests of the Church are partaking in. He therefore called on them to always offer themselves wholly to God and in service to the…
Ukraine forces kill five rebels, Putin warns of consequences
Ukrainian forces killed up to five pro-Moscow separatists in the east of the country, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday, as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of “consequences” if Kiev used the army against its own people. Interior Ministry forces backed by the army removed three checkpoints manned by armed groups in the separatist-controlled town of Slaviansk, the ministry said in a statement. “During the armed clash up to five terrorists were eliminated,” it said, adding that one person had been wounded on the side of government forces. Under an international accord signed in Geneva last week, illegal armed groups, including the rebels occupying about a dozen public buildings in the largely Russian-speaking east, are…
KSM Mater Dei Sub-Council carries anti-abortion campaigns to schools
Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Mater Dei Sub-Council Urualla on Friday, April 11, 2014 took their campaign against abortion and other issues that threaten the welfare of the unborn child to National High school and St. Theresa’s Secondary School Ndiawa both in Arondizuogu. In his separate addresses to the staff and students of the two schools, the Grand Knight, Mater Dei Sub-Council Urualla, Bro. Marcel Nwajeri noted that the Knights and Ladies of the Sub-Council were in Arondizuogu to launch a campaign against sex before marriage, abortion, the use of condom and other illicit preventive measures against pregnancy or termination of pregnancy when it occurred. He disclosed that the fame, academic and moral excellence of…
LSM Holy Rosary Sub-Council visit Nigerian Prisons -Donate provisions to inmates
Inmates of the Nigerian Prisons in Owerri had cause to smile Monday, April 8, 2014 when Ladies of St. Mulumba Nigeria, (LSM) Holy Rosary sub-Council Owerri led by their President, Sister Vic Mary Maduasebo went there on a charity visit, bringing provisions for their use, in order to alleviate their sufferings. The items donated to the prisons were: seven cartons of detol, nine rolls of tissue paper and six cartons of biscuits. The Ladies were received on arrival by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Imo Command of the Prisons Services, ASP Madugba James who expressed gratitude to the Order of Knights of St. Mulumba for remembering those incarcerated. He encouraged them to continue…
Millions Storm Vatican …as Pope John XXIII, Pope John Paul II are canonized
Over three million pilgrims are expected to witness the canonization of two Catholic Pontiffs – Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II at the Vatican today, Mercy Sunday, April 27. Our correspondent said, across Rome and much of Italy, hotel rooms were booked beyond capacity and residents are taking in strangers who would otherwise be sleeping on the street. In addition to the over three million pilgrims, 19 heads of State and 24 Prime Ministers are expected to attend the ceremony. Most of the world 1.2 billion Catholics will watch the event on television. While much of the focus of today’s’ “dual canonization” will be on the globetrotting Pope John Paul II and his…
Anambra Bishops slam Jonathan over insecurity
Two bishops in Anambra State have told President Goodluck Jonathan to do more to secure lives and property across the country in the face of increasing terror. The Anglican Archbishop on the Niger and Bishop of Aguata Diocese, the Most Rev. Christian Efobi and the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, said government’s efforts so far have proved to be inadequate. Ezeokafor who addressed newsmen at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Awka, said that this week’s abduction of over 100 students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State and the bomb explosions at Nyanya, Abuja in which at least 75 people died, were clear indications that more…
CAN prays, fasts for abducted schoolgirls
Christians in Nigeria last Friday, April 25, 2014 stormed heaven with prayers and fasting for the release of the 273 students of Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, Borno State, whose whereabouts have remained unknown since their abduction by the Islamist insurgent Boko Haram, over two weeks ago. This was in response to the call for prayers by the Catholic Bishop of Kwara State, Most Rev. Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, the National Co-ordinator of “Nigeria Mothers Pray”, Pastor Esther Okorie and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. It would be recalled that CAN also declared last Friday as a day of fasting and prayer for peace, unity and progress of Nigeria. In a statement…
Geodora holds 29th Matriculation/Graduation Ceremony
Important dignitaries, including parents, relations and well-wishers stormed the Uzii Primary School Mbaise Road Owerri, April 12 to witness the 29th graduation/matriculation ceremony of the famous Geodora Skills Acquisition Centre, Owerri. Thirty young ladies graduated while 170 others matriculated at the impressive ceremony. In his address of welcome, the Chairman, Geodora Organization, Nze Dr. George Onwuanibe disclosed that the centre has since inception, graduated over 35,000 young ladies who are either gainfully employed or doing their own businesses. Dr. Onwuanibe whose address was read by the Programme Manager of the Organization, Mr. Richard Nwamadi, commended the courage, discipline and outstanding performance of the graduands and charged them to be good ambassadors of Geodora anywhere they…
Umuna Community threatens to shut down govt business – over flood menace
The people of Uzoubi Community in Orlu LGA of Imo State have threatened to shut down all government businesses in the area to compel the authorities to come to their rescue over the incessant flooding that have been ravaging their homes, livestock as well as farmlands. Our correspondent, Chukwudi Udechi who visited the flooded Umuna community, reported that the victims are planning a peaceful demonstration to press home their plight. In a chat with THE LEADER, an indigene of the community, Mr. Gabriel Ibemere disclosed that the issue of flooding in Umuna, particularly Uzoubi, is something that occurs every year and which has affected the community so badly. He stressed that the recent heavy downpour…
ARTICLES
The Parish Priest And His Pastoral Responsibility In The Church
The priestly ordination confers a three-fold munera of teaching (munus docendi), sanctifying (munus sanctificandi) and ruling (munus regendi) authority in the life and ministry of the Church. These powers are derived from the priestly ordination and configuration in the priesthood of Christ. However, the rightful exercise of these divine powers demands a special mandate or faculty from the competent ecclesiastical authority which in turn is rooted in hierarchical communion. The diocesan priests have a primary role in the care of souls, and as immediate co-operators and collaborators of the Episcopal order and being incardinated to a particular Church (diocese or other groupings of Christ-faithful equivalent in law to it like territorial prelature, territorial abbacy, vicariate…
The Pope of Divine Mercy
John Paul II died on Saturday, April 2, 2005, at the end of the vigil Mass of Divine Mercy Sunday, the feast that he himself instituted five years earlier for the universal Church. A few minutes before his death at 9.37 p.m., Rome time, a Mass had been celebrated in the Pope’s private apartments, during which he was given the Holy Viaticum and the Anointing of the Sick. John Paul II had designed the second Sunday in a surprise announcement at the canonization, on April 30, 2000 of Sister Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who died in Krakow in 1938. The essence of St. Faustina’s mission was to proclaim God’s mercy towards every human being….
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
The devotion to divine mercy is the devotion that is centered on the mercy of God. It is the devotion which summarizes Jesus’ teaching on mercy. The whole message of divine mercy is based on Christ who is mercy incarnate. In fact, Blessed Pope John Paul II declares that Christ does not only speak of mercy and explain it by the use of comparisons and parables, but above all he himself makes it incarnate and personifies it. He himself, in a certain sense is mercy (Cf. Dives in Misericordia, 3). It is this message of love and mercy that Jesus revealed to the world through his revelation to a Polish nun called St Maria Faustina…
EASTER – A RESCUE MISSION OF JESUS CHRIST
Easter Sunday is the day when Christians all over the world celebrate the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is the celebration of the victory of our redeemer over sin, over Satan, and over death. His resurrection from the dead gives every true Christian an assurance of our own victory since his resurrection challenges us to make determined efforts to rise from our sinful and corrupt life unto holiness. Easter is unarguably the greatest feast in the Christian Calendar. It is usually observed at the end of Lent which is a period of 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Easter therefore is a period when Christ’s faithful are called upon to respond…
Have we forgotten ASUP and their students?
Education is the cornerstone to the development of any nation. Its position to national development cannot be overstressed. It is a prerequisite for the achievement of sustainable and significant development in a country. Educationists have an unprejudiced overview of what education is. To them, education is about a desirable change in behaviour. This widely treasured change comes from the acquisition of certain traits overtime. In a bid to achieve a paradigm shift in the country’s educational system, the Federal Government enacted Decree No. 33 of 1979 as amended by Decree No. 5 of 1993, to give legal backing to the establishment of Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria. The aim for the establishment of polytechnics in Nigeria…
For our politicians: Do our roads or forget our votes
We are all aware that the country is in a democratic dispensation which is determined by the quality of dividends the people enjoy from government or their elected representatives in the Senate, House of Representatives, the various House of Assembly or Local Governments. It is annoying to see most communities reaping the dividends of democracy and proudly beat their chest saying they have not had it so good in the past with proofs, while some others have nothing to show as the democracy dividends others are talking about. With regards to the Eziobodo autonomous community, a major host community to Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State,…
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EDITORIAL
CANONIZING TWO ROLE MODELS OF THE CHURCH
Today, two giants of the Roman Catholic faith will become saints and millions of people, including Nigerians have traveled to Rome for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Pope Francis’ decision to declare two of his predecessors, Pope John XXIII and John Paul II saints at the same time is unprecedented and taking the world by storm. The church offers the lives of outstanding women and men to us as models of holiness, declaring them “Blessed” or “Saint”. This is not a statement about perfection. It does not mean that the person was without imperfection or sin. Beatification and canonization mean that a person lived his or her life with God, relying totally on God’s infinite mercy, going…
Rising with Christ on Easter Sunday
Nigerian Christians will arise and celebrate Easter, today with the rest of the world. Easter commemorates the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only son, who rose triumphant today as a victor from the dark domain. Easter is the bedrock of the Christian faith – for had Jesus Christ not risen from the dead, there would have been no basis for our faith and hope of eternal life. So today is a celebration of our hope of resurrection. Even in the midst of our challenges as individuals and as a nation Jesus’ victory gives us an assurance that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. It is important to…
Nigeria’s Economy Growing with People starving
Reports that Nigeria’s economy has outstripped that of South Africa and become the largest on the continent are good news only to President Goodluck Jonathan, his ministers, top politicians, members of the House, and other wealthy people who are living large in a poverty – stricken country. But to the ‘millions’ of jobless, hapless and helpless Nigerians, struggling to make a living on less than N200 a day – people whose hopes of enjoying their country are dashed daily in the face of missing money and stolen billions – that information means absolutely nothing. In fact, it is like pouring Iodine on a fresh, bleeding wound. Notwithstanding, it is heartening to know that the level…
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