As the social media buzzes with Pope Francis’s reform of the Church, I am reminded of the words of Gamaliel, a wise man: “But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:39). The Wisdom of Gameliel Indeed, when the new community of Jerusalem was challenging the beliefs of their faith community, Gamaliel, a learned doctor of…
One thing I like about the Church in Eastern Nigeria is that parishioners take appropriate care of their parishes. They do all they can to be sure that their parishes have the latest model of everything: latest alter with Italian White Carara Marble, the best tabernacle in the town, the latest Church building, the largest church halls, the most beautiful perpetual adoration chapels, the best-decorated grottos and the biggest houses in the…
Call me a prophet of doom or a social media whatsoever, but if the Catholic Church does not ‘update’ herself in Nigeria; if she does not rethink her ecclesiology; if she does not reinvent herself, in years to come, she MIGHT wake up to understand that she is almost a century behind. I know it might sound awkward. And I accept and pray to be wrong, but there is just that voice…
Gn 9, 8-15, Ps. 24 (25), 4-5ab, 6-7bc, 8-9, 1 P 3, 18-22, Mc 1, 12-15 Jésus a reçu deux types du Baptême : Baptême de l’eau au Jourdain et Baptême du feu au désert. Parmi tous les évangélistes, il n’y a que Marc qui a su exploiter ce fait. Dans l’évangile d’aujourd’hui, il les juxtapose l’un après l’autre et ne met en lumière que des moments fars de ces évènements non seulement…
Isaiah 58:1-9, Psalm 51:3-4.5-6ab.18-19, Matthew 9:14-15 The Book of Isaiah is constituted of three Books or three authors and three époques, depending on what one wants to lay emphases on or which school of thought one belongs. Today’s reading was taken from the third Isaiah and belongs to the post exile oracles. By the time the Israelites were in exile, the temple was desecrated and on top of the Holy Mountain were…
Dear Brothers and Sisters, I thank the Lord that I can celebrate this Holy Mass for the inauguration of my Petrine ministry on the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the patron of the universal Church. It is a significant coincidence, and it is also the name-day of my venerable predecessor: we are close to him with our prayers, full of affection and gratitude. I offer a…
The end of the 4th session VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL As the days of the Sede Vacante prolong and the days to the Conclave approach, Saint Peter’s Square becomes more and more a place of attraction. The number of journalists and pilgrims increases every day and the antenna of every media house turned to the Eternal City. Covers of many International Magazines and Newspapers are decorated with different images of Cardinals…
As the Petrine seat remains vacant waiting for the next Pastor of the flock of God, people of God all over the world keeps on praying for the continuous presence of the Holy Spirit among the princes of the Church as they are preparing for the election of a new Successor of Saint Peter. As they start their congress tomorrow for the eventual commencement of the Conclave, which likely might not start…
The departure of Pope Benedict XVI VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL On 28th February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI put into action a thought provoking decision he made on 10th February 2013. This was the day he made public his decision to resign from the seat of Saint Peter. It was around 16:55, hour of Rome that Pope Benedict XVI started baring farewell to all his close collaborators at the Vatican City. It…
The Last Papal Angelus VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL Last Sunday, being 24th February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI led his last Angelus at the Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City. He started his normal weekly catechesis by acknowledging the affections with which he has been accompanied in these last days of his papacy. And afterwards, he explained the text of Luke on the transfiguration of the Lord in these words: Dear brothers and…
