What Catholic bishops in Nigeria should do – Pope Francis

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What Catholic bishops in Nigeria should do – Pope Francis

 

Pope Francis, on Thursday, tasked the Catholic Bishops in Nigeria to continue to preach peace in order to keep the country united and progressive.

NAN reports that the pontiff gave the task in Port Harcourt in a sermon during the episcopal consecration of Most Rev. Patrick Eluke as the first indigenous Auxiliary Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese.

He was represented by Most Rev. Antonio Fillipazzi, the Apostolic Nuncio (Pope’s representative) to Nigeria at the event held at Corpus Christi Cathedral, Port Harcourt.

The Head of the Catholic Church, who described Bishop Eluke as a gift to the diocese, urged the faithful to pray for the new bishop and the success of the church.

Gov. Wike of Rivers, represented by his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry, said that the state was grateful to God for the gift of the priest.

According to the governor, the consecration of the auxiliary bishop came at the right time, as he (Wike) has been an apostle of peace in the state.

The governor said the bishop’s consecration would also deepen the relationship between the State Government and the Catholic Church.

He said that the state government would partner with the new bishop as well as the faithful to curb youths restiveness and “keep them in the ways of the Lord.’’

The new bishop promised to work with other bishops with his whole heart for the growth of the Church.

He also urged the faithful to continue to pray for the clergies as well as Nigeria.

Eluke, born on March 25, 1967 in Eligbo, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers, was ordained priest on Sept. 23, 1995.

He was appointed the first indigenous auxiliary bishop of the diocese and Titular Bishop of Fotice on Feb. 12 by Pope Francis.

The new bishop had been the Parish Priest of St. Francis of Assisi, Rumuokwuta, since 2015 and later became the Diocesan Director of Vocations in 2016.

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Any African leader whose citizens migrate should resign – Cardinal Onaiyekan

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Any African leader whose citizens migrate should resign – Cardinal Onaiyekan

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has said that he would not hesitate to resign if he were president of a country whose citizens are anxious of migration.

According to him, it is a sign that leaders have failed ‘If you live in a nation where your young people are telling you it is better living elsewhere”

Onaiyekan made the declaration at a press briefing in Abuja, in preparation for a two-day conference being organised by Catholic Church on the irregular migration of Nigerians scheduled for next week.

He said: “Authorities should make Nigeria home. Same should be applicable to other African countries. Nigerians and other Africans should travel out of their country freely with dignity and respect, and not otherwise.

“These days, you hear some young Nigerians insisting that the pastures are greener elsewhere even when it is obviously not. If you live in a nation where your young people are telling you it is better living elsewhere, then it is a sign of failure of leadership of such a nation.

“If I were to be the president of such nation, I will not hesitate to resign if I continue to hear such a statement from my younger generation.

“I recall vividly as a young child in school some decades ago, I loved Nigeria and professed it openly because I was well taken care of by the government and I had a promising future. But the reverse is the case now.”

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Confusion In Kano Diocese As Another Popular Catholic Priest Resigns After Abduction

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Confusion In Kano Diocese As Another Popular Catholic Priest Resigns After Abduction  

A popular Roman Catholic priest, who was kidnapped last year, Rev. Fr. Gospel Inalegwu, has “resigned” from priesthood.

His resignation sent a wave of shock across the church in Kano where he is based.

Inalegwu upon tendering his resignation letter to the Bishop of Kano Diocese, Most Rev. John Namawzah Niyiring, traveled out of the state with all his belongings.

Commenting on the development in a chat with reporters, Bishop Niyiring said during the weekend that, “Priests do not resign as they do in the public service, but are laicized”

He also confirmed that Father Inalegwu was no longer available for his pastoral assignments in the diocese; stressing however that the only authority that could process the request of a priest wishing to return to a lay status was the Holy Father, the Pope.

Asked if he had tried to talk to the priest, he replied: “Yes I did that. I had some discussions with him to try to persuade him not to do what he is doing. I think he probably wants something else.”

The Bishop went further to debunk insinuations that the priest’s action was informed by his abduction experience, insisting that, “Long before his kidnap saga, he had voiced out his desire to do what he did. And we have a record of that”

The Benue born Catholic priest, who was kidnapped at his parish at St Joseph Catholic Church, Jitan – Dutse, in Tudun Wada Local Government Council, Kano State, was ordained in Kano State in 2013.

It could be recalled that barely two months ago, a popular Uyo-based Catholic Priest and radio preacher, Rev. Fr. Patrick Henry Edet, announced his resignation from the Roman Catholic Church on radio.

Source DailyPost

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