The Nation Newspaper

Tag: catholic

  • Why I left the Catholic Church —Victor Olaotan

    Why I left the Catholic Church —Victor Olaotan

    ALL roads led to Troy Lounge Ogba as V-Channel, an entertainment cable channel on Star times, hosted ace actor Victor Olaotan at its bi-weekly ‘V-Night Out’ party.

    The event which started with red carpet by 10pm was a fun-filled atmosphere as guests and fans alike trooped in to have a wonderful time with the respected Nollywood star. It was a night of excitement and merrymaking.

    Olaotan, who plays the role of Fred Ade-Williams, the patriarch on the popular TV series Tinsel, relieved his youthful days as he danced to his favourite oldies with astonishing dance moves, much to the surprise and excitement of all in attendance. He rounded the dancing session by ‘digging’ it to the latest single from Davido, Gobe.

    Engaging guests in a question and answer session, Olaotan who used to be a staunch member of the Catholic Church revealed he left the faith because the problems in Africa require a more spiritually fervent handling.

    “I grew up in a Catholic setting and was a committed member till I left for a pentecostal church. The problems in Africa require more spiritual fervency than what the Catholicism was giving me, so I had to leave,” the veteran actor said.

    Victor also spoke about his family abroad and leaving America because of tax miscalculation. “I was running a business and paying personal tax only for the authorities to come and said I ought to have been paying company tax as well. By the time they were done with calculation I had $4 million to pay. I had to leave because I couldn’t afford that amount,” he revealed.

    There were also various music performances, comedy acts and dance routines, to thrill the crowd.

  • Catholic students relive Jesus’ crucifixion

    Catholic students relive Jesus’ crucifixion

    Students and the Catholic community of Saint Vincent de Paul Chaplaincy, Moddibo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola re-enacted the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to mark Good Friday and Easter celebration.

    The play dramatised how Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and how he suffered as he was being led to Golgotha. A crowd of Christian students and non-Christians gathered to see the drama as early as 8am on the football pitch, which is close to the university main gate.

    Peter Oko, 500-Level Biochemistry, the student-catechist of the Chaplaincy, who played the role of Jesus in the drama, said it was a honour for him to be cast in the play. “Playing the role of Jesus gave me the privilege of experiencing first-hand what Jesus went through for our salvation, though I know that what I went through is nothing to compare to what Jesus suffered. The experience has made me to be humble and appreciate what it took Jesus to save mankind and to strive to improve on my life as a Christian daily,” he said.

    The president of Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS), MAUTECH chapter, Everest Mpari, 300-Level Urban and Regional Planning, who played the role of disciple, said the Good Friday was significant in the life of every Christian especially Catholics, saying that the day marked the beginning of the last three days of the Lenten period.

    “The resurrection of Christ is the most important event of Easter. Without resurrection, there will be no victory over death without which there will be no hope of salvation; this is the essence of Christianity,” he added.

    Andrea Dama, 400-Level Crop Production, said she learnt the virtues of humility and simplicity from the sufferings of Christ as displayed in the drama.

  • Pope’s reign ends after emotional farewell

    Pope’s reign ends after emotional farewell

    Pope Benedict XVI tenure has ended becoming the first head of the Catholic Church to retire in 600 years.

    At 8pm local time in Rome  the doors of Castel Gandolfo closed and the famous Swiss Guard that ceremonially watch over the pope’s summer residence marched away – signifying the end of Benedict’s eight-year papacy –  and that the position of pope is now vacant.

    From now on he will be known as Emeritus Pope and devote his days to prayer and meditation.

    Hours earlier, in an emotional goodbye to the faithful, he declared himself a mere “pilgrim” in his final public appearance as Pope.

    He arrived at the villa at the lakeside town to find a 7,000-strong crowd gathered in the main square waving yellow and white paper pennants in Vatican colours to greet him.

    There were huge cheers as he briefly stepped out onto the main balcony, wearing a white robe, and spoke to the faithful with a final apostolic blessing.

    “I am very happy to be here with you, surrounded by the beauty of the world. Thank you for your friendship and your affection,” he said.

    “As you know, today is different to previous ones.

    “I will only be the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church until 8pm and then no longer. I will simply be a pilgrim who is starting the last phase of his pilgrimage on this earth.

    “However, With all my heart and love and my prayers, I would like to work for the good of the Church and humanity.

    “I feel your support … Let’s go on together for the Church and the good of the world.”

    He went on to say: “From the bottom of my heart I bless you … Thank you and good night.”

    Balloons spelling out his name were strung up across a shop window and banners thanking Benedict for his service were held aloft.

  • Catholic students mark Valentine’s Day

    Catholic students mark Valentine’s Day

    The Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) chapter, gathered members, last week, to commemorate Saint Valentine’s Day. The event was organised by the drama band in conjunction with St. Michael Catholic Church, Ago-Iwoye. The programme was held in the premises of the church.

    Present at the event were the Chaplain of the church, Reverend Father Michael Banjo, Reverend Sister Chinonye Ubajaka, the NFCS president, Akinyemi Talabi, vice president, Blessing Osuji, a motivational speaker, Shadrack Akinola and the students. The event was anchored by a comedian, Uzoh Madu, who recently graduated from Performing Arts at OOU.

    Rev. Sister Ubajaka talked about Christian friendship. In her lecture, she said agape love was the greatest of all love. She enjoined members of the fellowship to desist from the act that would set them against God.

    After the speech, the drama band presented a play, which centered on sex and rape. The audience were held spell bound during the play.

    Akinola spoke on Building loving relationships. He emphasised on the need for youth to abstain from sex, stating some negative spiritual effects that could arise from the act. Reverend Father Banjo spoke on purity and love. After the speech, the drama band presented its second drama, which promoted care for the destitute.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, a member of the fellowship, Maureen Kenliho, said: “The event was exciting most especially the drama. It was captivating and educative.” Sylvester Ayodele, an official of the fellowship, said the organisation of the event was not easy but “we give God all the glory.”

    At the end of the event, students exchanged gift items, after which a cake was cut to mark the day.

     

  • Pope ‘will not interfere’ in choosing of successor

    Pope ‘will not interfere’ in choosing of successor

    … Catholics mark Ash Wednesday

    Pope Benedict XVI will not interfere in choosing his successor after his shock decision to resign at the end of the month, the pontiff’s brother has said.

    Georg Ratzinger told the BBC the Pope would only “make himself available” if he is needed.

    Benedict said on Monday he would resign after nearly eight years as the head of the Catholic Church because he was too old to continue at the age of 85.

    The Vatican now says it expects a new Pope to be elected before Easter.

    The unexpected development – the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years – surprised governments, Vatican-watchers and even Benedict’s closest aides.

    Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 after John Paul II’s death.

    The BBC says that in theory there has never been anything stopping Pope Benedict or any of his predecessors from stepping aside.

    Under the Catholic Church’s governing code, Canon Law, the only conditions for the validity of such a resignation are that it be made freely and be properly published.

    But resignation is extremely rare: the last Pope to step aside was Pope Gregory XII, who resigned in 1415 amid a schism within the Church.

    Meanwhile, Catholics all over the world will on February 13, mark this year’s Ash Wednesday, signifying the commencement of the 40-day Lenten season.

    Spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, said this in a statement on Tuesday.

    According to him “Ash Wednesday ushers in the Lenten Season.

    “A forty-day period of penance, reflection and fasting prepares us for Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

    “It is a period of conversion, self- denial, renewal, reconciliation, change and growth; it is about denying self for the life of others,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Msgr. Osu as saying in the statement.

    He said that the hall mark of Ash Wednesday was the marking of the forehead of Catholic faithful with ashes, making the “sign of the cross” as a reminder of their sinful nature.

    Osu said that in the Archdiocese of Lagos, the Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, would be expected to lead other clergies to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and administer ashes on the foreheads of the faithful.

     

  • Pope Benedict XVI gives resignation notice

    Pope Benedict XVI gives resignation notice

    Pope Benedict XVI is to resign at the end of this month in an unexpected development, saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85.

    BBC says he became Pope in 2005 following John Paul II’s death.

    Resignations from the papacy are not unknown, but this is the first in the modern era, which has been marked by pontiffs dying while in office.

    At 78, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of the oldest new popes in history when elected.

    The BBC says the news has come “out of the blue”, and that there was no speculation whatsoever about the move in recent days.

    A Vatican spokesman indicated that even the Pope’s closest aides did not know what he was planning to do.

    He took the helm as one of the fiercest storms the Catholic Church has faced in decades – the scandal of child sex abuse by priests – was breaking.

    The Vatican says it expects the period between the Pope’s resignation and the election of his successor to be as brief as possible, but there has been no confirmation on when cardinals will meet to choose a new pontiff.

    In a statement, the pontiff said: “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.

    “I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

    “However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary.

    Strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.”

     

     Read full text of Pope’s resignation letter below:

     

    Dear Brothers,

     

    I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

    Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

     

    BENEDICTUS PP XVI

  • Pope commends Cardinal Arinze at 80

    Thousands of Catholic faithfuls on Saturday thronged the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Cathedral Onitsha , Anambra state to celebrate the thanksgiving mass in honour of  Cardinalrancis  Arinze on his 80th birthday celebration.

    In his homily during the service,  Cardinal John  Onaiyekan, said Arinze’s 80th years on earth was dedicated to the service of humanity and God at different levels, locally and internationally.

    Describing the Catholic Church as “clear voice of authentic Christian tradition”, he noted that Arinze was the “indefatigable bearer of that voice”

    The highpoint of the celebration was the reading by the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Hilary Okeke, of the goodwill of Pope Benedict Xiv, who thanked Cardinal Arinze for his dedicated service to God and the Church and prayed for the outpouring of God’s grace upon him.

    Governor Peter Obi in his remarks said that Anambra State Government would seek further areas of cooperation with the Church in a partnership intended to make Anambra State a better place in terms  of human development.

    Obi who described Cardinal Arinze as a gift of God to humanity and  also called on younger priests to emulate his apostolic zeal, said that the State was happy over her collaboration with the Church in the area of education and healthcare delivery.

     

  • Catholics urged to fund varsity with N500 contribution

    Catholics urged to fund varsity with N500 contribution

    Catholics have been called upon to become part owners of the Veritas University of Nigeria, Abuja (VUNA) by contributing at least N500 each.

    Speaking at the N2 billion Fund Raising Dinner for the university at the Sheraton Towers Hotel, Abuja, its Chancellor, Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, said if each Catholic contributed just N500 each, the church would raise about N15 billion for the university.

    Outlining the challenges and opportunities of the university project, Onaiyekan noted that all Catholics are stakeholders, contrary to the belief of some that it is the project of the bishops.

    He said: “We have had great challenges in ensuring full ownership of our project by all the presumed stakeholders namely the Nigerian Catholics as a whole. We have witnessed divided interests and dissipated energies as dioceses and religious institutes of the same Nigerian Church have embarked also on similar, certainly laudable competing projects.”

    Noting that the Nigerian Church is big enough to have more than one Catholic University, Archbishop Onaiyekan stressed: “We need to seriously make up our minds on this. One thing is certain; the project of the Catholic University of Nigeria has reached a point of crisis which must be resolved in a positive way. That is what has brought us together here.”

    With 400 students, the Archbishop said fees they pay can only cover a fraction of the total cost of maintenance. As such, he noted that the internally generated income can be used just for the running expenses, while the university needs regular infusion of funds to the tune of N15 million every month.

    Despite difficulties encountered since its inception in 2002, the Archbishop said the programmes of the university are fully accredited.

    He praised the members of the Catholic Bishops Conference for keeping the university dream alive by providing the money for the running of the institution and the staff for their sacrifices and perseverance.

    Admitting that increasing enrolment to a minimum of 2,000 students would help the university break even, he said to admit such number, adequate structures including hostel accommodation, academic and administrative buildings, furnishing and equipment must be in place, which would require the university to move to its permanent site in Bwari.