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Tag: Catholic Bishop

  • Catholic bishop appeals for release of kidnapped Reverend Father, two Sisters

    Catholic bishop appeals for release of kidnapped Reverend Father, two Sisters

    The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Most Reverend Felix Ajakaye, yesterday called for the release of two Reverend Sisters and a Reverend Father who were kidnapped while on official assignment.

    Ajakaye, in a statement said that Rev. Fr. John Adeyi, the Vicar-General of Catholic Diocese of Oturkpo, have been in captivity since Sunday, April 24 while Reverend Sisters Perpetua Apo and Bukola Familade, and their driver, Mr. Zwugwa Zibai, were kidnapped on Thursday, May 12.

    “For over three weeks, Rev. Fr. John Adeyi, the Vicar-General of Catholic Diocese of Oturkpo, has been in captivity,” he said.

    “The humble Parish Priest of St Bernard Catholic Church, Okpoka, Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State, was kidnapped on a highway.

    “He was returning from an outstation of the parish, where he had gone to celebrate the Holy Eucharist (Mass). He is the first Catholic priest from Oturkpo,” he said.

    Ajakaye said that since the abduction of Adeyi, there had been no information concerning his whereabouts.

    “Last week, Thursday, May 12, two Sisters of St Louis, Reverend Sisters Perpetua Apo and Bukola Familade, and their driver, Mr. Zwugwa Zibai, were also abducted.

    “The three of them were travelling from Kaduna to Ijebu-Itele in Ogun State for a programme when their vehicle broke down at Kajola on Ore-Lagos road.

    “They then called some Reverend Sisters in the neighbouring town for help. By the time the Sisters and others got to the scene, they found the vehicle but the three were nowhere to be found.

    “It was later established that they had been abducted. These unfortunate incidents are not palatable at all. Indeed, apart from the two cases of abduction, there are other kidnap cases pending, both known and unknown,” he said.

    Ajakaye appealed to all well-meaning Nigerians and the government to proffer practical and lasting solutions to the menace of abduction plaguing the country.

    “We must stop chasing the shadows. Whenever somebody is abducted, it is sickening to hear state governors prepared to give millions of naira to anybody or group with any information on the whereabouts of the abducted persons. Let such governors look inwards and do the needful,” he said.

    The cleric stressed that Nigeria ought to be habitable for all citizens, adding that the country should be “where there is true love, justice, peace, harmony and development”.

    “In this light, I call on all well-meaning Nigerians to appeal to the abductors of all persons in captivity to release them.

    “These include the abductors of Rev. Fr. John Adeyi, Rev. Sr. Perpetua Apo and Rev. Sr. Bukola Familade, and their driver, Mr Zwugwa Zibai.

    “The Catholic Church, the Catholic Women Religious – all the Sisters of the different Religious Congregations – are pleading with their abductors to please release them.

    `They should release them so that they can continue their humble service to humanity, as directed by God,” Ajakaye said.

     

  • …And Catholic Bishop too

    The Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye, has described the outgoing VC of EKSU as a man, who ruled with God’s guidance and protection. The cleric disclosed this during the monthly prayer session by EKSU staff held at the main auditorium of the university.

    At the service, which served as valedictory for Aina, Ajakaye recalled that he had the honour to bless him when he (Aina) assumed duty four years ago, stressing that it was also a privilege to be at his valedictory service.

     

     

     

  • Catholic Bishop of Bauchi dies

    The Bishop of Bauchi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev John Goltok, is dead.

    He died last Saturday at Our Lady of Apostle’s Hospital, Jos after a brief illness. He was 50.

    A statement by Fr. Justine John Dyikuk on behalf of the Director of Communications, Bauchi Diocese, said: “There will be vigil mass today at 6pm at St John’s Cathedral, Bauchi. Tomorrow there will be funeral mass at 10am at St. John’s Cathedral, Bauchi.”

     

  • 2nd Plenary session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria

    2nd Plenary session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria

  • Catholic bishop slams PDP on Amaechi’s suspension

    Catholic bishop slams PDP on Amaechi’s suspension

    The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Rev. Felix Ajakaye, has condemned the suspension of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) suspended Amaechi on Monday for what it described as “his refusal to obey lawful directives from the Rivers State chapter of the PDP”.

    In a statement yesterday, entitled: ‘NGF elections-between 19 governors and 16 governors, 16 claiming majority’, Bishop Ajakaye described the suspension as a “practical example of the politics of terrorism and rascality”.

    He said PDP was wrong for treating the governor as it did, adding that “Amaechi has the fundamental right to seek re-election as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).”

    The cleric said: “Some politicians want to bring the country to ruins through man made crises. Amaechi has been suspended for his courage, popularity among his peers and for winning an election. Is this the way to celebrate democracy in Nigeria?

    “This is a practical example of the politics of terrorism and rascality. They claimed there was irregularity prior to the election, were they coerced to participate in the poll?

    “They said Amaechi refused to dissolve the house and allow a neutral body to conduct the poll. Were the 16 governors hypnotised to vote only to regain their consciousness after the poll?

    “The public statements of Jang’s group show that it is pro-Jonathan and the members are bent on scattering the NGF by claiming that their candidate won an election where 35 people voted and they had 16 as against Amaechi’s 19.

    “Now, 16 has become the majority and 19 the minority. This type of thing can only happen in Nigeria. Indeed, this is a crisis of credibility. What legacy are we bequeathing to our children, whose special day was May 27?

    “Jang is even being congratulated on the pages of the newspapers. He is being ‘celebrated’ and he even organised a thanksgiving service to celebrate his ‘victory’. Nigeria and Nigerians! We should learn to face reality, rather than chase shadows.”

  • We’ve forgiven Boko Haram, says Catholic Bishop

    •Yero urges Christians to be peaceful

    The Catholic Bishop of the Kaduna Diocese, Most Reverend Mathew Man’Oso Ndagoso, said yesterday that the church has forgiven those who bombed and killed its members in the name of Boko Haram.

    The sect claimed responsibility for the bombing of Saint Rita Catholic Church, Ungwan Yero, Malali in Kaduna metropolis and other churches.

    The cleric said in his Christmas message that in the spirit of merry making, love and forgiveness to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, the church has forgiven members of the Islamic sect.

    According to him, the act of forgiveness became imperative since Jesus Christ was born as a peace maker, adding that the essence of celebrating the birth of Christ is forgiveness.

    He said there was no point celebrating Christmas with rancour, malice and revenge, adding that the need to forgive the sect was in line with the forgiveness Christ exhibited when he was betrayed and crucified.

    Rev. Ndagoso appealed to Christians in the state to refrain from any act capable of causing violence, political and social upheaval in the state, adding that whatever evil was being perpetrated by the sect should not be a thing of surprise to anybody but should restrain the urge to retaliate as Jesus did to His attackers.

    He thanked the state government, corporate organisations and individuals who stood by the Archdiocese during the bombings and killings by the sect.

    Said he: “As we celebrate Christmas, we remember the killings of our members and bombings of our churches, particularly Saint Rita Catholic Church, Ungwan Yero, Badarawa, Kaduna. We pray for the repose of the souls of the departed.

    “We thank the government, individuals and organisations for supporting us during the turbulent times.

    “There is nothing we can do to our enemies than to forgive them. This Christmas period, we must show love and forgive one another to enable peace reign in our society.

    “We should remember that over 2,000 years ago, during Jesus’ time on earth, He faced persecution, humiliation and death in the hands of those that were supposed to love Him. But even at that He forgave them. He is born for our sake and He died for our sake.

    “So violence, be it religious, political, economic or social, has been there a long time ago in the history of humanity.

    “We should not forget that the recent flood might cause food scarcity. I appeal to the farmers that were not affected, especially those in rural areas, not to use middle men and women to hike the prices of their produce. They should sell them at affordable prices to help one another.”

    In his Christmas message, Governor Muhktar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State urged Christians to live with others in peace and harmony.