Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa: From setback to blaze of glory - ITREALMS

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December 15,2024 was the 3rd Sunday of Advent in the Catholic liturgical calendar. It was a day of special rejoicing as the faithful arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation was now half over and they are close to Christmas.

By a stroke of chance, this liturgical celebration turned into a surprisingly deeper and memorable socio-spiritual experience in the life of the parishioners of Holy Trinity Catholic Church Ewu-Owa, Ikorodu Lagos-Nigeria. Just as the liturgical celebration was coming to an end, the Priest-in-Charge, Rev. Fr. Augustine Echefu mounted the pulpit to appreciate the visiting priest - Rev. Fr. Amaechi for anchoring a successful Christmas retreat in the Church. 

Defaming MFM Church, Dr DK Olukoya: U.S. court slams $50,000 damages on Funke Ashekun - ITREALMS

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A Baltimore County Circuit Court in the United States of America, presided over by Theresa Adams, has slammed a record $50,000 damages on a US-based Nigerian blogger, Funke Ashekun.

Collins Edomaruse, media aide to Dr. Olukoya, said in a statement on Thursday that the damages were slammed on Ashekun for defaming Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) and its General Overseer, Dr. Daniel Olukoya.

Terrorists abduct catechist @Taraba Catholic church - ITREALMS

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Some suspected terrorists have abducted a catechist on Sunday night attack at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, reports ITREALMS.

The Parish Priest of St. Agnes Parish, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Awua, told The Punch, on the phone that terrorists invaded the church and began shooting at 9:58 pm.

Pope Francis, transgenders meet @Rome church - ITREALMS

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The Catholic pontiff, Pope Francis has met with a fourth group of transgenders who found shelter at a Rome church, reports ITREALMS.

According to the Vatican-based newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, the encounter took place Wednesday on the sidelines of Francis' weekly general audience and quoted Sister Genevieve Jeanningros and the Rev. Andrea Conocchia as saying the pope's welcome brought their some hope for the guests.

Bishop fracas in Lagos Anglican Church, aggrieved parties allege bribery, petition EFCC

ITREALMS:

Crisis is brewing in the Church of Nigeria (AnglicanCommunion), over recent election of the Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye, as the new Bishop of Lagos alleging bribery and misappropriation of fund, with petition already sent to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) , reports ITRealms.

Also, ITRealms gathered, there had been allegations of corruption and inducement of members with money during the election held in Ilorin, recently.

ITRealms equally gathered that during the recent Episcopal Synod of the Church in Ilorin, Kwara State, the leadership of the church in a statement by its General Secretary, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Ayodeji Fagbemi, announced that a number of new Bishops and ArchBishops had been elected.

The Rt Rev. Olumakaiye, according to the statement, would be transiting from the Diocese of Osun North East to Lagos.

Nevertheless, the mood among members of the congregation in Lagos suggested a strong disaffection and clear opposition to the election of Olumakaiye, seen to have been imposed by the outgoing Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, The Most Rev. (Dr.) Adebola Ademowo.

ITRealms further gathered that for instance, that a statement issued in Lagos at the weekend signed by one Mr. Ade Doherty on behalf of members of the church and who claimed to be aggrieved over the said election of Olumakaiye, indicated that Olumakaiye’s election was stage-managed, not influenced by the Holy Spirit and as such, “unacceptable.”

The statement reads: “The so-called election of Olumakaiye at the recent conference of Bishops in Ilorin was a clear manipulation of the House of Bishops who were "teleguided" by both Ademowo and The Primate, the Most Revd. (Dr.) Nicholas Okoh.

“Of course, we have it on good authority that huge sums of money exchanged hands to facilitate the so-called election of Olumakaiye and majority of our members in Lagos stand united in opposition to this mischief. It is a charade and can never stand.”

They also claimed that such action by the House of Bishops was a way of trying to elongate the tenure of Ademowo.

It was also alleged that he (Ademowo), in order to perfect the election manipulation, facilitated a multi-million Naira house for Primate Okoh in the Lekki area of Lagos.

  

They made references to Ademowo's earlier statements and actions, which they claimed, put paid to Olumakaiye's emergence.

The aggrieved further stated that their solicitors had prepared a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged acquisition of the said Lekki property, the financial inducements in the House of Bishops, and the alleged porous accounts of the Lagos Diocese and women organisations in the Lagos Diocese, which they alleged was the reason “the succession at all costs is taking place.”

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Return of Catholic Church excites CAN

ITREALMS:

The President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Dr. Samson Ayokunle has expressed excitement on the return of the Catholic Church to its fold, reports ITRealms.

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, CAN president said he was excited about the return of the Catholic Church, noting that the Church left CAN some five years ago.

In a press statement made available to ITRealms, Ayokunle pointed that their return is one of the best things that have happened since he assumed office as the President of CAN.

“One of my visions for CAN is to bring our Catholic brothers and sisters back to the fold; and I must acknowledge the support and understanding of my brother in Christ, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and his team. I give kudos to all the principal officers, the directors and some Christian leaders in the country for their support and understanding while the dialogue lasted.

“My joy knows no bound with the presence of the CSN at the constitution amendment meeting of CAN held on Thursday and at the NEC meeting on Friday. It is our prayers that the Body of Christ in the country will remain one forever in Jesus’ name.

“At a time like this when Christians are almost becoming endangered species in Nigeria, when churches are being denied the Certificate of Occupancy especially in the core North, when Christians are being denied key public offices and when the Church is expected to speak for the voiceless, especially over the economic and social hardship in our country, we cannot afford to be at war with one another,” he said.

Ayokunle insisted that CAN is united in diversity. Stressing that Jesus Christ prayed for the Church shortly before He returned to heaven in John chapter 17.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Ahiara crisis: Church is not a democracy

Commentary@ITRealms: 

What is currently happening in Ahiara diocese is an aberration. It is not in the nature of true Catholics to disobey the choice of a Bishop appointed by the Pope who is the Head of the Church on earth, the Supreme Pontiff.

Those fueling the crisis are either feigning ignorance of the rules guiding the Church or are just allowing human ego to take the better part of them. You may wonder why I say this. I will explain: The second Vatican council (1962–1965), made it explicitly clear that the right of nominating and appointing bishops belongs per se exclusively to the competent ecclesiastical authority. The bulk stops on the table of the Pope and when the Pope speaks, the Church has spoken.

The Church is one, universal. There is no law that states that a bishop must come from a specific tribe or town. There have been many instances of bishops appointed to head places other than their own diocese. Starting from the days of foreign bishops like Heerey, O’Rourke, Leo Taylor, to when we began to have indigenous priests as Bishops, the issue of tribe really never matters.

So many Bishops had been transferred from one place to another without fuse. Remember that the Late Dominic Ekandem, though hailed from Calabar, was transferred to Abuja. John Cardinal Onaiyekan is from Kabba in Kogi State, yet he is now in Abuja. Bishop Lucius Ugorji is from Naze in Imo State, but he is in Umuahia. Should the natives of these places carry placards? No.

The Church is one. Yes in few instances there have been minor agitations by some who felt that the Bishop should be from their land, but the Church has always made it clear that we are all one in Christ. In the end they have all come to terms that the Church is not a democracy but hierarchical. In Ireland for instance, the papal envoy there is an Ibo man. It does not really matter where you come from, as long as the Holy Spirit finds you suitable.

Let me state here that God forbids disobedience in any form. One of the three vows taken by priests and religious during their ordination is that of obedience to their superiors. Priests also should serve as good examples to the laity. A situation where priests appear to be disobeying the same Church they swear to obey and protect is not acceptable.

But again, this is the human element at work. Jesus assured us that the gate of hell would never prevail against the Church. So, this too shall pass away. The Pope has given the priests of Ahiara ample time to make amends. Please note that it is not all the priests that are against Bishop Okpaleke, just a section.

But I believe that they will all come to terms with the fact that the will of God would prevail at the end of the day. It will surely be a win-win situation for everyone. Our prayer is that God will send the spirit of peace, humility, obedience and unity into the hearts of the aggrieved, so that, like Christ always willed, we shall all continue to be one. This should be our collective prayers.

*Contributed by Monsignor Gabriel Osu, who is the Director, Social Communication, Catholic Church of Lagos Diocese.

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Okiemute, MTN Project Fame winner goes to church

ITRealms:

The winner of the 9^th season of the MTN Project Fame, Miss Okiemute Ighorodje has gone to church on a thanksgiving mission, reports ITRealms.

Okiemute, who was all smiles held the thanksgiving mass at St. Brigid Catholic Church, Asaba-Delta State last Sunday.

Just as ITRealms reports that the presiding priest, Rev. Father Israel Dibia used the opportunity to enjoin Christians to remain steadfast in prayers to God Almighty.

The 25-year-old Miss Ighorodje was joined by families for a thanksgiving mass after emerging the star winner in the just concluded MTN Project Fame as she went home with N5 million, a brand new Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), a music recording contract worth N20 million and an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa.

In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Dibia said Christians should remain in the ways of God by seeking the face of God through prayers.

He restated that the God of old who answered prayers when the Israelites were in the land of Egypt is still the God of today and has not changed.

“Prayer is absolutely important in our lives if we are truly the disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray with confidence; don’t give up when you are expecting something legitimate from God” he said.

Fr. Dibia also tasked Christians to pray without seizing, “God will definitely answer you because, He has not changed. There is always an expiring date for every problem.”

In her remarks of thanksgiving, Miss Ighorodje cautioned youths in particular to always think positive and believe in their selves in whatever they do because their efforts would be crowned with success.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Pix: Okiemute @ church on Sunday. 2nd Pix She is flanked by MTN executives during prize presentation.

Road expansion: Osun compensates Apostolic Church with N87.9m

ITRealms:

The State of Osun has presented a cheque of N87.9 million to the leadership of The Apostolic Church of Nigeria for the demolition of the church premises to pave the way for a dual carriage way road expansion at Olaiya-Ita Olokan Junction in Osogbo, reports ITRealms.

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made thepresentation on Thursday at Osogbo, the state capital to the National President, The Apostolic Church of Nigeria, Pastor Gabriel Oladele Olutola.

The governor also said the compensation is geared towards infrastructural development by giving up a branch of the church at the heart of the state capital for road construction, noting that the church was valued at sum of N57.9 million, Aregbesola stressed that the state considered the constant renovation of the church thus resolved to add N30million to its valued cost to make N87.9 million.

He used the occasion to reiterate that his administration remains committed to its resolve to turn the state around through massive infrastructural development and financial re-engineering in the face of the present cash crunch affecting the country.‎

Emphasising on his administration determination to live up to the statutory responsibilities regardless of the current economic situation the state may be encountering.

Responding, Pastor Olutola, expressed the Church’s readiness to support the administration of Aregbesola, pointing out that the Church is a partner with the governor in his quest to turn Osun's fortune around for good, thus the agreement by the church on the separation of her branch for the project to enhance free flow of traffic at the popular Olaiya Junction.

He also expressed satisfaction over the decision of the state to compensate the church, saying Governor Aregbesola has distinguished himself as an epitome of transformation and performance.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +ITRealms DSA  
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