Syria: US Bishops, Syrian Islamic Leader join Pope in prayer

The Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badreddin Hassou, the spiritual leader of Sunni Islam in Syria has expressed his desire to join the Pope in  praying for peace in the world especially in Syria. Fides news agency reported that “an exploratory request to that effect was sent by the Islamic leader to the Apostolic Nuncio in Damascus, His Excellency Monsignor Mario Zenari, and in coming days the feasibility of this desire will be evaluated on both sides.” Fides also reported that several Christian leaders in the Middle East affirmed that the Pope’s appeal found its way into “everyone’s hearts.” “The Christian communities in Syria, the Middle East and in the diaspora are happy and ready…

THE WORD OF CHRIST, SIGN OF DIVISION

The kingdom of God is the realization of communion among men and with God. Already the prophets announced it and described it as a time of peace, of well-being, of unheard of joy; a time of universal and cosmic fraternity. Every barrier would be eliminated. There will be constituted one people for one God. Jesus realizes this project of God in humanity expressed by the prophets. He comes to “gather the dispersed sons”. His last prayer is the prayer for unity: “Father that they may be one, as we are one”.  How do we reconcile this expression with the words of this Sunday’s gospel? “Do you think I have  come to bring peace on the…

August Meeting

As this year’s “August Meeting” draws near, a lot of anticipations and preparations are made in order to make it a fruitful one.  Women from all over the world, especially the married Igbo women flock back home for this annual meeting. It is during this meeting that decisions are made for the betterment of the Igbo women and the community at large.  This very meeting of theirs is taken very seriously, in the sense that anyone who fails to attend it pays a fine (especially those who have been mandated). The concept of the meetings evolved from the annual mass return.  The mass return were for every citizen – men, women, youth and children.  The…

Pope Francis Chooses Theme for World Day of Peace

“…..Annual Celebration will Focus on Fraternity as a Pathway to Peace” – Pope Francis. The Holy See Press Office last Wednesday (31st July)  announced the theme for the 47th World Day of Peace which was chosen by Pope Francis. The theme, “Fraternity, the foundation and pathway to peace” will be the focus of the celebration, which will be on January 1st, 2014. The event was an initiative of Pope Paul VI and usually includes a message from the Holy Father that calls attention to the value of peace in the world. In a communiqué released by the Holy See, Pope Francis chose Fraternity as its theme, which has been a key point he has spoken…

I begin every programme with Novena – CGC Commissioner

The Commissioner for Community Government Council (CGC) and Chieftaincy Affairs, Imo State, Barr. Lady Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro has attributed the success of her ministry so far to the power of Novena. A Novena is a series of prayers that are said for nine straight days, usually as a prayer of petition. Speaking during an interactive session with the press on the ongoing chieftaincy dispute resolution in the state, Barr. Nnanna-Okoro said God is using Governor Rochas Okorocha to bring peace to several communities most of which have been in turmoil for decades following ezeship tussles. Emphasizing the efficacy of Novena prayer, Mrs. Nnanna-Okoro, a Lady of St. Mulumba, said trouble laden communities now enjoy peace, adding…

Talks between U.S., Taliban on Afghan war expected soon

Peace talks between the United States and the Taliban over the war in Afghanistan will probably be held “in the next few days,” a senior U.S. administration official told CNN on Wednesday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not offer up a time line for the discussions. But a prisoner exchange is one of the issues the United States intends to discuss with the Taliban. Senior U.S. officials say they want the release of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a soldier captured by militants in 2009. “We have every reason to believe” Bowe Bergdahl is alive, a Pentagon official told CNN. News that the meeting was moving forward followed a tumultuous day that saw…

Pope Francis Sends Letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron

- Pontiff Responds to Letter Sent by British PM Regarding G8 Summit Priorities On Sunday, the Holy See made public a letter sent by Pope Francis to the British Prime Minister David Cameron prior to the G8 summit that was held 18-19th June in Northern Ireland. The letter was sent in response to a message sent by Prime Minister Cameron to the Holy Father in June 5th. In his letter to Pope Francis, the British Prime Minister said that he would use his presidency of the G8 summit to help developing countries achieve sustainable development. “Your Holiness has spoken eloquently about the need to rebalance the global economy, to help the poor and disadvantaged, and…

Sunday Reading: ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR C (16/6/2013)

ELEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR C (16/6/2013) OPENING PRAYER Almighty God, our hope and our strength, without you we falter. Help us to follow Christ and to live according to your will.   FIRST READING A reading from the second book of Samuel 12:7 – 10. 13 Theme: The Lord forgives your sin; you are not to die. Nathan said to David, “The Lord the God of Israel says this, ‘I anointed you king over Isreal; I delivered you from the hands of Saul; I gave your master’s house to you, his wives into your arms;  I gave you the House of Israel and of Judah; and if this were not enough, I would add…

Pope Francis urges Relief Organizations to Contemplate Jesus’ suffering in the People of Syria

Pope Francis, on Wednesday, June 5,  met with humanitarian and relief organizations that are dealing with the ongoing crisis in Syria. The meeting was organized by the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”, which coordinates the Church’s charity work. Among the participants were representatives of the following Catholic charity organizations: Aid to the Church in Need International, the AVSI foundation, CAFOD, Caritas Internationalis as well as the local Caritas organizations in Austria, France, Germany, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, the Middle East and North Africa, Syria, and Turkey. Also present was the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, Catholic Relief Services, the International Catholic Migration Commission, the International Confederation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the Jesuit Refugee…

St. Patrick’s Itu celebrates Holy Trinity

…As KSJI remembers fallen colleague The Blessed Trinity is a mystery that all Catholic faithful are bound to believe.  This is stated by Rev. Fr. Jude Anyanwu (SDV) in his homily during the Eucharist celebration to mark the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity Sunday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish Itu Ezinihitte LGA Mbise, Sunday, May 26, 2013. He said that though it’s a mystery, an attempt at explaining it is necessary to enlighten the minds of the faithful. The priest drew the attention of God’s people to the Three Persons in One God, pointing to God the Almighty Father as the Creator.  He said that He, God the Father, created all things in heaven and…

Russian, US and UN officials to meet on Syria

US and UN officials will meet next week to prepare for a proposed peace conference in June between warring sides in Syria, UN and US officials said on Thursday. “We can confirm that on 5 June 2013 in Geneva, US, Russian and UN officials will hold a three-way meeting to further the preparations for the international conference on Syria envisioned under the US-Russian initiative,” a UN spokeswoman said in a statement. The meeting was agreed to in talks last week between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. The meeting will include US Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, acting US Assistant Secretary of…

Cleric admonishes Christians against materialism – As Oguta celebrates Father’s Day

The Catholic Men Organization (CMO) of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Oguta in Oguta LGA of Imo State have been admonished not to allow materialism to becloud their sense of judgement. The Episcopal Vicar of Zone 9 of Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri and Parish Priest of the Church, Very Rev. Fr. Jude E. Ike gave the admonition at a Mass to celebrate the Patron Saint (St. Joseph) of the Catholic Men Organization worldwide on Sunday, May 5, 2013. In his sermon, he enjoined the Christian Fathers to always be close to their wives and children, positing that a good home begets a good society and a good society is the pride of the nation. Fr. Ike…

Irete youths and the display of hostility to non-indigenes

Undoubtedly, we are living in a precarious and hostile society.  A society where brutes and brutality are the order of the day.  This is indeed a society where atrocities are committed with impunity.  A lawless and barbaric society replete with animals in disguise in the name of human beings.  While the youths in civilized societies are busy making great impacts on ground-breakings and wonderful innovations, their Irete counterparts are busy wallowing in unethical behavior, violence and abuse of human rights.    This inference is drawn because of the attitude these young men exhibited at Mrs. Ibenye’s store on Friday at about 7.52pm, March 1, 2013.  Although similar dastard and barbaric acts had filtered through in the…

QUEST FOR THE IDEOLOGY OF TERRORISTS

My grandfather Ekhaisomhi, the father of my mother, was a true and good Muslim, the best grandfather every child prays to have. My mother, Awawu Veronica, is simply the best mother any child could have. She gave me the love and peace she inherited from her Muslim parents. My grandfather, Omonokhua, the father of my father, was an African traditional priest who was known for love, peace and generosity. Another grandfather every child would pray to have. My father, Okhifo, gave me the love, peace and generous values he inherited from his parents. My grandparents and parents personified the scriptures where I practically learned the value of life with the contents of generosity, love, peace,…