Dons Eze
- Spirituality
- April 11, 2024
- 109 views
POPE FRANCIS ANNOUNCES DRAMATIC RESTRUCTURING OF CATHOLIC CHURCH IN IRELAND
POPE FRANCIS ANNOUNCES DRAMATIC RESTRUCTURING OF CATHOLIC CHURCH IN IRELAND The Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland has announced the restructuring of the Catholic Church in Ireland, which will require reducing and consolidating diocesan territories. According to The Independent–a newspaper frequently critical of Ireland’s Catholic Church–the episcopal changes amount to “the most extensive restructuring of the Catholic church here in roughly 900 years.” The restructuring plan implies that six dioceses that currently comprise the Western Province will be consolidated into three. “The scaling back of the number of episcopal positions may be the first step in a more far-reaching and wider process of restructuring for the Irish church in light of concerns that the current diocesan boundaries no longer reflect the distribution of the Catholic population,” the Independent writes. Commenting on the news, Stephen White, Executive Director of the Catholic Project at Catholic University of America, wrote on X: “Ireland has an area and population roughly equivalent to the US state of Indiana. Ireland currently has 26 Catholic dioceses. Indiana has 5. Make of this what you will.” Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam, released a statement explaining that “the changes being announced today concerning the reconfiguration of dioceses in this province follow on from consultations carried out by the Apostolic Nuncio with groupings of people in Achonry, Elphin, Killala and Tuam.” “Fortunately, there is already a well-established practice of collaboration and cooperation between the western dioceses. This is a sure sign of hope for the success of the important work that is now underway,” he added. Bishop Michael Duignan of Clonfert, also commented about the consolidation in an April 10 statement:My appointment as the sole Bishop of the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh & Kilfenora, and of the Diocese of Clonfert, marked a new phase in the ongoing journey of restructuring and renewal for our two dioceses. A journey where dioceses working ever-more closer together can achieve much more than they might on their own.
- Spirituality
- April 9, 2024
- 94 views
CATHOLIC CHURCH KICKS AGAINST SURROGACY, TRANSGENDER, ADVOCATES RESPECT FOR GAY PEOPLE
CATHOLIC CHURCH KICKS AGAINST SURROGACY, TRANSGENDER; ADVOCATES RESPECT FOR GAY PEOPLE The Vatican has described the belief in gender fluidity as “a concession to the age-old temptation to make oneself God,” according to the Guardian UK. The Vatican said this in an updated declaration of what the Catholic Church regards as threats to human dignity. The new Dignitas infinita (Infinite Dignity) declaration released by the Vatican’s doctrinal office on Monday after five years in the making reiterates Pope Francis’s previous criticism of what he has called an “ugly ideology of our time.” “Desiring a personal self-determination, as gender theory prescribes, apart from this fundamental truth that human life is a gift, amounts to a concession to the age-old temptation to make oneself God, entering into competition with the true God of love revealed to us in the gospel,” the 20-page document says. Reiterating opposition to gender reassignment surgery, it adds: “It follows that any sex-change intervention, as a rule, risks threatening the unique dignity the person has received from the moment of conception.” The Holy See distinguished between these sorts of surgeries and procedures to resolve “genital abnormalities” that are present at birth or develop later. It said those abnormalities could be treated with the help of healthcare professionals. The Vatican said Pope Francis had approved the document, which also reaffirms its condemnation of surrogacy, saying the practice represents “a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child.” “A child is always a gift and never the basis of a commercial contract,” the document says. “Every human life, beginning with that of the unborn child in its mother’s womb, cannot be suppressed, nor become an object of commodity.”The document says gay people should be respected and denounces the fact that “in some places, not a few people are imprisoned, tortured, and even deprived of the good of life solely because of their sexualorientation.”
- Spirituality
- April 7, 2024
- 127 views
CATHOLICS VERSUS OTHER CHRISTIANS, AGREEMENTS, DISAGREEMENTS
CATHOLICS VS OTHER CHRISTIANS: AGREEMENT’S, DISAGREEMENTS Vatican City is one of the most important places for devout Catholics, but it does not share the same meaning for all Christians. All squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares; the same goes for the Catholic Church versus other Christian denominations. All Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians consider themselves Catholics. Although 1.3 billion Catholics make up the majority of the world’s nearly 2.4 billion Christian population, several other Christian denominations have unique personal beliefs, holidays and religious practices that differ slightly from the Catholic Church. These groups are called Christians because they all believe Christ (Jesus of Nazareth) was the promised Messiah. However, Catholics and other Christians are divided on various interpretations of the notated word of God found in the Holy Bible. This is how the Christian faith evolved into separate factions and how the Roman Catholics differs from other Christians. All Christian religions are based on the teachings of a Judean religious leader named Jesus Christ, who is believed to have lived in the first Century C.E. in what is now modern-day Israel and Palestine. Following Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, his followers formed early Christian communities that set out to spread the New Testament and their unique interpretations of the word of God. These personal beliefs evolved over time through varying historical, cultural and political climates as the religion spread worldwide. While Christianity was often met with derision or persecution when it was seen as a rebellious break from the status quo, growing numbers of converts from diverse communities forced any naysayers to accept the new major religion. However, even within the ranks of this relatively young belief system, there were some who had opposing views on how to best spread the word of God. Two defining moments explain today’s many Christian denominations: The first monumental event was the Great Schism of 1054, and the second was the Protestant Reformation, beginning in 1517. The Great Schism of 1054 In the 11th Century, Christianity was divided into two primary power hubs: Constantinople in the Greek-speaking East and Rome in the Latin-speaking West. Although 1054 marks the formal break between these two groups, they had been in contention for over six centuries following the collapse of the Roman Empire and the subsequent divying up of Christian lands. Apart from regional and political differences, these groups often argued about best practices for operating Christian churches. For example, Orthodox Christians allowed their clergy to marry, while Catholic Christian priests believed in holy orders of celibacy. Another major point of theological contention was that Eastern Orthodox Churches (not to be confused with Eastern Rite Catholics) strongly disagreed with the Nicene Creed practised in Catholic worship. This doctrine proposed that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father (God) and Son (Jesus Christ) instead of coming directly from God. Although these differences may seem superfluous, they sparked enough animosity for centuries of ex-communication and the eventual attack on Constantinople in 1204 during the Fourth Crusade. This battle left thousands of Orthodox Christians dead and set the stage for continued division between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Church. The Reformation Sixteenth-century Europe witnessed the next pivotal moment in Christian history, now known as the Reformation. Instead of Orthodox Christians, this movement was started by leaders of future Protestant Churches like Martin Luther and John Calvin, who spoke against widespread corruption in Christian churches. Protestant beliefs sprang from this initial outspoken dissension against the Roman Catholic Church’s practices of indulgence sales and clerical celibacy, as well as the Catholic concept of purgatory and limbo. By openly opposing these accepted tenets of Catholic worship, this new Christian church sparked debates, wars and the formation of various Christian denominations with unique…
- Spirituality
- April 2, 2024
- 82 views
SCIENTIST PROVIDES EVIDENCE THAT JESUS ROSE FROM DEAD
SCIENTIST PROVIDES EVIDENCE THAT JESUS ROSE FROM DEAD A scientist from the University of Washington in St. Louis, Joshua Swamidass, claims that there is strong evidence to support biblical account that Jesus Christ rose from dead. “I am a scientist. Yet on Easter I celebrate the fact that Jesus rose from the dead some 2,000 years ago. This event is a milestone. In the same way that confident faith in science is tied to evidence, so is the faith I have in resurrection,” he wrote in a 2017 article for Forum Veritas. The researcher argues that the resurrection of Jesus had a huge impact on history. “No other event in all of recorded history has reached so far beyond national, ethnic, religious, linguistic, cultural, political and geographic boundaries,” he notes. Swamidass uses the Bible to support his view, claiming that its prophecies predict the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. “These prophecies contain specific details that Jesus and his followers could not control,” the scientist writes. “For example, before the Romans invented crucifixion, Psalm 22:16 described Jesus’ hands and feet being pierced,” he explains. He also notes that “Jesus was a real person in history who died,” which is evidence that he did not fake his death. “Several manuscripts from various sources, including Jewish historians, describe a man named Jesus who lived and was executed,” he points out. “Specific details about his execution confirm that blood and water poured from a spear wound in his side. He really died, not just unconscious,” he claims. Swamidass notes that “early resurrection accounts and prophecies predicting them have been reliably transmitted through history.” A 2017 BBC survey found that one in four Christians in the UK do not believe Jesus has come back to life. The Reverend Dr Lorraine Cavanagh thinks it may be because adults don’t want to believe in things in the same way they did when they were children in Sunday school.”We’re talking about adults here. And adult faith requires constant questioning, constant reinterpretation, which, by the way, is what the modern Church is really about,” Cavanagh emphasises.
- Spirituality
- March 30, 2024
- 119 views
CATHOLIC BISHOP WARNS PRIESTS AGAINST FALSE TEACHING
CATHOLIC BISHOP WARNS PRIESTS AGAINST FALSE TEACHING The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, has advised priests against misleading their members with false teachings. Onaga gave the advice in a homily during a Chrism Mass held at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu on Thursday. Chrism Mass is celebrated on Holy Thursday, during which priests renew their vocation and are consecrated with the oil of Chrism. According to the bishop, priests should be careful of what comes out of their mouth as people believe in them and call them Father. He emphasized that their call was a divine trust to herald the word of God given to them and urged them to do it with conscientiousness. “Our words matter a lot not just when we are in the church but wherever we find ourselves. Our flock calls us Father because they believe that we have been transformed. We should teach people true words. “If your words are lies, you are teaching your parishioners to lies and you are teaching them to tell lies and give false witnesses,” Onaga said. The cleric explained that Reverend Fathers were the custodians of the word of God adding that they should refrain from false preachings and prophecies. “We should not compare ourselves with other pastors because to him whom much is given, much is expected. We have a very sacred juice of priesthood. “The word of God is sacred and should not be defiled and the priest is the dispenser of the word of God in his place with the people of God,” he said. He charged the priests to possess a Christlike heart with love, saying priesthood is love. “It is love in us that will define what we teach our members; you don’t abuse them but teach them word of God with love and that which come from Christ we represent, should dominate everything we do”. Onaga also admonished the Catholic priests to do away with unforgiving anger, greed, selfishness and pride but engage in the work of God with love and humility.Highlight of the Holy Mass was the renewal of the vow and commitment made by no fewer than 500 priests during their ordination, blessing of the oil of the sick, oil of the Catechumen and consecration of the oil of Chrism.
- Spirituality
- March 27, 2024
- 137 views
ABAKALIKI CATHOLIC DIOCESE GETS SEVEN NEW MONSIGNORS
ABAKALIKI CATHOLIC DIOCESE GETS SEVEN NEW MONSIGNORS Seven catholic priests in the Abakaliki Diocese, Ebonyi State, were recently elevated to the status of monsignor by the Pontif, His Holiness, Pope Francis. The bishop, Most Rev. Peter Nworie Chukwu officially presented them at St. Theresa Cathedral in Abakaliki, after installation on March 16. Chukwu said that the profiles of the priests were investigated at the Vatican before seven out of the 11 names he submitted were approved to be honoured as monsignor. He advised those who were not captured to take it in good fate as the same chance might likely come their ways in future: “We are lucky for having scored seven because the number signifies completeness just as God had created the world in six days and rested on the 7th day and when it was the time to choose deacons for the church after the coming of the holy spirit, seven men of good repute were ordained. “Today, we have seven quintessential pastors who have been honoured by the Holy Father, Pope Francis as monsignors and with a closer look at each of them, one will find out that they had become priests before I entered Senior Seminary, that is one common thing among them and we are grateful to God.” He also said that the investiture of the monsignors does not undermine their priestly functions and appealed that they should continue the work with humility. It was learnt that the priests elevated by Pope courtesy of the bishop’s recommendation have distinguished themselves in their priestly functions, evangelisation and service to humanity Those installed as monsignors include Rt. Rev. Felix Uchenna Onwukike, Associate Prof. Christopher Makwe Okoro, Rt. Rev. Godwin Oguike Oluoha, Justus Odoemene, Rt. Rev. Gabriel Obazi Owoh, Rt. Rev. Matthew Ekuma Isukpa and Rt. Rev. Prof. Clement Osunwokeh. One of them. Monsignor Oluoha said that the elevation was prompted by his contribution to the growth of the church in the state and thanked the Pope for reciprocating the effort with the honour. He advised young priests to obey their vision, be brotherly with their colleagues, be the best of what they are, keep the rules of the community and the church and most importantly, obey the rules of God. His counterpart, Makwe, said that he had been working in accordance with the dictate of his conscience since April 18, 1971, stressing that the honour was a result of his activities recorded by an agent of God.He also thanked Bishop Chukwu for the recommendation and Pope Francis, for the appointment.
- Spirituality
- March 26, 2024
- 116 views
THOMAS OBIATUEGWU: FROM BATTLEFIELD CHAPLAIN TO CATHOLIC BISHOP
THOMAS OBIATUEGWU: FROM BATTLEFIELD CHAPLAIN TO CATHOLIC BISHOP The Orlu Catholic Diocese has welcomed a new Auxiliary Bishop, Monsignor Thomas Ifeanyichukwu Obiatuegwu, in a ceremony that holds significance for the community and for Obiatuegwu, who left religious service in the US Military to take up religious duties as a priest in Orlu, Imo state. In January, Pope Francis appointed him to his new role, and as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Nigerian Episcopal See, Obiatuegwu will assist Bishop Augustine Tochukwu Ukwuoma, 70, who has led the Nigerian Diocese, accommodating 1.2 million Catholics, since June 2008. Bishop Obiatuegwu was born on January 1, 1966, in Umuaku Uli, Anambra State. He attended the Minor Seminary in Umuowa and Saint Joseph’s Major Seminary Ikot-Ekpene, and subsequently at the Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu. He further pursued higher education, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from the Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, and a Master’s Degree in Public Management and Policy from Indiana University in the United States of America. Obiatuegwu was ordained a Catholic Priest on August 26, 1995, and has since established himself as a religious nomad, serving in various offices in Nigeria and overseas. From 1995 to 1997, he served as the Chaplain of the hospital of Amaigbo, Ebonyi and in the three years after, was the Parish Priest of Saint Theresa’s in Amauju, Isunjaba, Imo. . In 2004, he moved to the United States and served as the Parish Vicar of Saint Patrick’s in Kokoma, Indiana, United States of America from until 2010. In that year, Obiatuegwu joined the U.S. military. He served in the Corps of Army Chaplains until 2017 becoming a U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant. Coming back to Nigeria in 2017, he became the Parish Priest of Holy Rosary in Orlu until 2018 the Parish Priest of Saint Michael’s in Urualla until 2023. In that same period, he was the Dean of the Saint Michael Pastoral Region, and since 2023, was the Parish Priest of Saint Joseph’s in Umuna, Orlu. “The Holy Father is sending me to you in total obedience to him and without any reservation. Here I am, willing and ready to serve just like Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve,” Bishop Ifeanyichukwu said during his ordination. Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo state expressed delight at Obiatuegwu’s appointment considering it a forward step in unifying Anambra, his native land and Imo, where his diocese is situated. “This momentous occasion, is fostering greater unity between the sister States of Imo and Anambra, without neglecting the importance of our respective roles each play in the growth and sustainability of peace in our region,” he said. “I was propelled by this unity to emphasize the significance of collaboration between the Church and Government, stressing their complementary nature in addressing societal challenges, particularly the prevalent insecurity issues,” he added. Uzodinma is optimistic about the potential of this collaboration to create a brighter future for the communities involved. Obiatuegwu recognizes his path to the pulpit and embraces collaboration, seeking support from all Bishops, members of the Clergy, and all Catholics.“I solicit your continuous prayers and mentorship on how to be a good and holy Bishop,” he said.