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Tag: Bishop

  • Bishop, SAN: Nigeria must be free of terrorism

    Bishop, SAN: Nigeria must be free of terrorism

    The Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Kaduna Diocese, Bishop Idowu Fearon, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Charles Obishai, yesterday said the country must be free of terrorism.

    Obishai, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said in spite of the ban on the Boko Haram, the move towards a peaceful agreement was a welcome development.

    He said: “Everybody is clamouring for peace. Let there be peace in Nigeria, so if the issue of signing an agreement to bring in peace will settle the matter, let there be peace. For Boko Haram, they have a cause they are fighting. When they said they were granting amnesty to them, they said no that it is Nigeria that needs amnesty.

    “So, for them, they have a cause they are fighting, unfortunately not known to Nigerians but I think the Federal Government in its wisdom set up a committee that really met with them.

    “Since we mandated them to meet with the members of the Boko Haram and find a way out from this trouble, I think whatever peace agreement is signed,  I support   let there be peace in Nigeria.”

    The senior advocate urged Nigerians to embrace the move for lasting peace, adding that they could only go about their normal businesses in a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

    “Once there is peace in Nigeria, you and I can carry on with our functions. Without peace, then

    we are in trouble, so let that peace come and stay in Nigeria. If they can really drop their arms under the pretext that they have signed an agreement, let there be peace.

    “In war front, when a soldier raises his arms up, you don’t kill him. He has surrendered, you take him as a war prisoner but the moment he wants to shoot at you, you shoot at him. So at this point that Boko Haram has seen reasons and said we are wrong we need peace, we should embrace peace.

    “American government said in 2015 there will be no Nigeria, we must debunk that, we must tell them no, that beyond 2015, there must be Nigeria and if these are the steps to take to see that Nigeria exists beyond 2015 so be it.”

    Bishop Fearon said only those benefiting from the current crisis in the country would oppose the cease fire proclamation by the Boko Haram.

    Fearon told NAN in Kaduna that Christian groups opposed to the current rapprochement with the insurgents, should learn to encourage the process in the interest of peace.

    He said: “I heard some Christian groups were reacting negatively to the Boko Haram announcement of a cease fire. Any Christian who reacts negatively to this act of cease fire is part of the group whom we believed were benefiting from this crisis situation.’’

    Fearon expressed concern over the growing distrust among Christians on the efforts of government to end the current security challenges in the country, adding that “this lack of trust will not help us”.

    He said: “I want to plead with the Christian community, especially the leadership in this country, for the sake of peace, since Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace, I think we need to believe people when they say this is what they want.

    “I take objection to any leader who says this cease fire should not be trusted, you are not God, do not judge anyone whether a Christian or a Muslim. It would not help the government when we have leaders speaking negatively on the cease fire.’’

    The Bishop urged Muslims to use the period of the Ramadan to promote issues that would unite the country and engender peace and tolerance.

     

     

  • Otuya to be consecrated Bishop 

    Rev. Dr Priscillia Otuya, the 34th president of the united Gospel Churches Association of Nigeria,(UGCAN) would be consecrated as Bishop on Friday.

    The event, which takes place at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos also marks her birthday and one year in office as UGGAN’s national president.

    She said: “When I came in, I realised that there was a need for reorientation so that we can be better representatives of God and the people.

    “We are embarking on a campaign crusade for the restoration of the ideals that we stand for, with lesser emphasis on prosperity. We are focusing more on things that would foster unity and oneness. The structures that divide us are gradually being dismantled”.

    Reception for the event would take place at Christ Unity Church, Borokini hall at Oke-Afa, Ejigbo Lagos.

     

  • Bishop, quack doctor arrested for alleged rape, abortion

    •I was framed, says cleric

    Ten of the State Criminal Investigative Department (SCID) in the Rivers State Police Command have paraded a Port Harcourt Pentecostal Bishop, Chibuike Nwabueze, for allegedly impregnating a 15-year-old church member.

    Also paraded was a fake doctor, Kazeem Abimbola, who was held for allegedly conducting an abortion on the victim, on the directives of the bishop.

    Bishop Nwabueze admitted committing the crime, but alleged a set up.

    The self-acclaimed chairman of Communion of Bishops alleged that he was framed by another bishop over their tussle for the chairmanship seat of the Nigerian Peace Ambassador.

    He said: “Of the various bishop groups we have, I chair the Communion of Bishops. What has happened is a set up by my enemies.

    “This bishop is my enemy; he is the person who framed me. He invited me for a programme in his church, which I honoured. But after the programme he set me up, because of what we are dragging. We are contesting the chairmanship of peace ambassador.

    “I am a prophetic grace minister and I have been a pastor for over 20 years. I am a deliverance minister after I had concluded my ministration in that church that evening; I had a revelation that a family that attended the programme had some problems that they needed to be prayed for.

    “By the unction of the spirit of God I identified and assembled them together, including the victim, after praying for them in the open church, I told the father of the girl that I will still need to pray for them again and he accepted.

    “When I came the following day to conduct the prayers, other family members did not come. The father asked her to come with me for the prayers; after the prayers the girl hypnotised me, pulled her clothes off and I had canal knowledge of her.

    “One month later, the father called me to say his daughter was pregnant, I advised that she keep the baby, but the father insisted that the girl should return to school. They took her for the abortion which I paid for.”

    The Divisional Officer, Samuel Okaula, advised families to be mindful of where their wards go to worship.

    “The man has been parading himself as the chairman of bishops in Rivers State and it is unfortunate that a man, who calls himself a man of God, could descend to the level of defiling a 15-year-old girl.

    “Not only that, he procured an illegal abortion which could have terminated the life of that innocent girl.

    “We want the whole world to know that this kind of crime cannot go unpunished. We have concluded our investigations and we are ready to go to court.”

     

  • Same sex marriage is a sin, says Catholic bishop

    Bishop Emmaneul Badejo of the Oyo Catholic Diocese has described same sex marriage as “a gross sin against God”.

    Last week, Pope Francis I acknowledged the existence of gay lobby in the Vatican.

    Bishop Badejo spoke at the weekend while delivering the sermon at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oke-Padre, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at the wedding of the daughter of the Publisher of the defunct Third Eye, Chief Akanni Aluko.

    He said the Catholic Church can never support gay marriage and urged Christians across the world to wage war against it.

    Bishop Badejo said: “Catholics across the world should rise up to fight against same sex marriage. It is a fight that must be won because the act is a gross sin against God and we should not allow it in the sanctuary of the living God.

    “There is a reason God made a complement for man. He knew man could not continue to be alone. God also found it necessary to create man and woman for the purpose of procreation, which He ordained. We must therefore resist this un-natural use of the body.”

    He urged the couple to be faithful to each other in fulfilment of their marital vows before God.

    Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese Most Rev. Alaba Job urged the congregation to stand for what is holy.

    He urged the couple to be prayerful and be committed to the success of their marriage.

    In attendance were the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Alao-Arisekola; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; the Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, who was represented by Chief Edy Oyewole; Head of the Afe Babalola Chambers Mr. Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN); wife of the former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Alhaja Mutiat; Alhaja Bose Adedibu, wife of the late strongman of Ibadan politics, Chief Lamidi Adedibu; the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran and the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, among others .

     

  • Imo Bishop saga: Monarchs plead caution

    Traditional rulers from Mbaise Council Area of Imo State, at the weekend absolved themselves from the crisis that rocked the Ahiara Catholic Diocese following the appointment and consecration of Monsignor Peter Ebere Okpaleke as the Bishop of the Ahiara Catholic Diocese.

    It will be recalled that the newly ordained bishop whose appointment sparked off crisis in the diocese was locked out by aggrieved priests and lay faithful who insisted that an indigene of Mbaise be appointed the bishop.

    The monarchs urged the priests and laity faithful of the diocese to sheath their swords and embrace the new bishop in line with the directives of the Vatican to move the diocese forward.

    The Chairman of the Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chidume Okoro, while unfolding preparations, regretted that the lingering opposition by both the priests and the laity faithful of the diocese against Okpaleke has adversely portrayed Mbaise as a hostile community that does not tolerate strangers.

     

  • Bishop in police net for alleged kidnap

    The Christian community in Delta State was thrown into confusion yesterday, following the arrest of a popular bishop of a new generation church in Udu Local Government for alleged kidnap.

    The suspect was arrested on Wednesday by policemen from Warri Area Command, after a self-confessed member of a syndicate was arrested in a failed attempt to abduct the owner of a private school on Enerhen Road, Effurun.

    It was gathered that the bishop’s alleged accomplice visited the victim under the pretext of delivering a prophetic message and then tried to abduct her along with one of the pupils about a week ago.

    But nemesis caught up with the gang when the victim raised the alarm, which attracted neighbours who swooped on the suspect and handed him over to the Enerhen Police Division.

    The bishop was arrested when he went to bail the suspect, who implicated him in his confessional statements to the police.

    However, the arrest was not without much drama.

    It was gathered that the matter got to the attention of the Area Commander, Rabiu Hussaini, following the shoddy handling of the arrest by the police of Enerhen Division.

    The Nation learnt that the victim petitioned the Area Commander when the Enerhen Police Division, which carried out the initial arrest, released the suspect under suspicious circumstances.

    The victim, through her lawyers, A.E Efole, alleged that the police collected N2 million gratification “to sweep the matter under the carpet.”

    Thereafter, they said the police released the suspect without arresting his accomplice.

    Efole, who authored the petition, claimed the police said the suspect “is insane and that anytime he commits a crime, he mentions the bishop as the brain behind his evil act.”

    The Area Commander could not be reached for comments.

    But a source said the police are under pressure to release the bishop.

    At the time of this report, the suspects have been taken to the bishop’s church for further investigation.

  • Youths lock out Imo bishop

    •Pope’s decision final, says Church

    Monsignor Peter Okpalaeke was yesterday ordained the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese amid tight security at the Seat of Wisdom Seminary in Ulakwo in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State.

    This was as aggrieved youths locked the cathedral in Ahiara Community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government in protest.

    Okpalaeke, who is from Anambra State, was appointed bishop by former Pope Benedict XVI last December, after the death of Bishop Victor Chikwe.

    But his appointment was rejected by priests and Catholic faithful from the diocese, who preferred an indigene of Mbaise to be elected as bishop.

    The youths locked the gate of the cathedral, where the bishop was to begin his 10-year tenure.

    The protesters, who disrupted vehicular and human movement, vowed not to allow the bishop into the cathedral.

    They insisted that the diocese will remain without a bishop for the 10 years that Okpalaeke’s tenure will last.

    One of the protesters said: “Although the development is strange in the Catholic Church but we will not allow this injustice.

    “ We don’t want a bishop who is not from our community; that is all we are saying and we are ready to confront them force with force.”

    The ordination, which was held several miles away from the Diocese, attracted Catholic faithful and dignitaries, including the Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan.

    In his sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia, Lucius Ugorji, said it is only the Pope who has the final say in the appointment of bishops.

    He said the law of the Church does not have provisions for quota system in the appointment of bishops.

    Rev Ugorji added that the acceptance of the Papal’s appointment is a respect for the Pope.

    He said the outright rejection and inflammatory statements and protests are spiteful and disrespectful of the Papal authority.

    The bishop advised the people to bury their anger as Christians and work with the new bishop.

    He advised Okpalaeke to foster peace and reconciliation among the people.

     

  • Imo Catholics reject Pope’s choice of Bishop

    Priests and members of the Catholic church in Ahiara Diocese, Imo State have rejected the Pope’s choice of Monsignor Peter Okpalaeke as the Bishop-elect for the diocese.

    Monsignor Okpalaeke is from Anambra State.

    The protesters who assembled at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, Ahiara, said that the appointment of the Bishop-designate will not “promote the spiritual wellbeing and the precious faith of our people”.

    The President of Ahiara Diocesan Priests’ Association, Rev Father Austin Bernadine Ekechukwu who spoke for the group told reporters that the rejection of Okpalaeke’s appointment was not a sign of disrespect for the Pope or the hierarchy of the Church, explaining that “we strongly contest his (Okpalaeke) suitability for Ahiara Diocese given its uniqueness and pastoral realities”.

    Okpalaeke’s appointment, he added, sent a “reprehensible signal about the status and reputation of the about 500 Catholic Priests that trace their origins to the soil of Mbaise, a Diocese that has been globally acclaimed as the Ireland of Nigeria”.

    “Should the appointment of Okpalaeke succeed, half of the Ecclesiastical Province would be controlled by Bishops from Onitsha Province. Till date no Priests or Bishops from Owerri Province have been assigned as bishops whether auxiliaries or substantive in Onitsha,” he said.

    The President of the Ahiara Diocesan Catholic Women Organization, Mrs Felicia Nwogu, said their position was not driven by chauvinism but by equity, justice and fairness.

    “We believe we have credible Priests who can be made a Bishop, instead of imposing someone who does not understand the culture of the people and we have an obligation to reject anything that imperils the faith of our people,” she said.

    The angry Church members who barricaded the gate to the Cathedral, displayed placards with inscriptions like “We don’t want Okpalaeke as Bishop”; “The Pope should rescind his decision and appoint one of our Priests”; “Cardinal Arinze should leave our Diocese alone”.

     

  • Bishop tasks youths on culture and tradition

    THE Catholic Bishop of Awka , Most Reverend Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, yesterday enjoined youths to ensure that they don’t loose sight of the Igbo cultural heritage and traditions.

    Ezeokafor gave the charge in a message to the 2012 Youth Cultural Fiesta , Installation of patrons and patronesses and award giving day of Catholic Youths Organisation of Nigeria (CYON) at Saint Francis Catholic Church, Enugu-Ukwu .

    He appealed to church leaders to encourage youths, appreciate their culture and tradition to be able to help in fighting the war against death of our cultural values and language.

    In his homily, the Parish Vicar/ Chaplain of the CYON, Rev Fr. Emmanuel Oformata, encouraged youths to worship God in all sincerity and stop cutting corners in their quest to survive. He appealed to them to shun immorality in all ramifications and emulate Christ in all they do since any immoral life lived would be regretted.