Directorate of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi

03/11/2022

Join us live at the Memorial Mass for our deceased priests at the priests cementry at Immaculate conception Minor seminary Ivianokpodi

03/11/2022

Join us at the memorial Mass for our deceased priests at the priests cementry at Immaculate conception Minor seminary Ivianokpodi

17/04/2022

10/04/2022

Palm Sunday Celebration By Bishop Dunia At The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Auchi Today.

Excerpt from the Bishop's homily

"The rulers of Jesus' time laid all Sorts
of false accusations against him in
order to qualify him for condemnation,
and Jesus who is God, allowed his
creatures to do all these to him.
With this he is simply saying to us,
"Learn from me, for I am humble and
gentle in heart." (Matt. 11:29)"

The Palm Sunday marks the beginning of a very important week in Christendom referred to as the Holy Week.

25/03/2022

Today, our Chief Shepherd, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel G. Dunia, in union with the universal Church, joined the Holy Father, Pope Francis in praying for peace and consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary @ ICC, Auchi.

We pray that this act of consecration may bring peace to these countries. Amen.

25/03/2022

TODAY: THE CHURCH CELEBRATES THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNOUNTIATION OF THE LORD.

This day is a Holy of Obligation and every Catholic is expected to attend Mass.

On this day, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God to Mary, with the message of the conception of Jesus and Mary accepted the words of the Angel.

Later today, the Chief Shepherd of our diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel G. Dunia will be joining the Holy Father, Pope Francis and the universal church in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This event will take place at the Cathedral by 4:00pm.

The Bishop has also given the directive for same action to be performed by the Priests of his diocese in their different Parishes and Mass Centres by the same time, 4:00pm.

Below is the consecration prayer to be said at the consecration Mass today.

Act of Consecration
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Basilica of Saint Peter
25 March 2022

O Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, in this time of trial we turn to you. As our Mother, you love us and know us: no concern of our hearts is hidden from you. Mother of mercy, how often we have experienced your watchful care and your peaceful presence! You never cease to guide us to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Yet we have strayed from that path of peace. We have forgotten the lesson learned from the tragedies of the last century, the sacrifice of the millions who fell in two world wars. We have disregarded the commitments we made as a community of nations. We have betrayed peoples’ dreams of peace and the hopes of the young. We grew sick with greed, we thought only of our own nations and their interests, we grew indifferent and caught up in our selfish needs and concerns. We chose to ignore God, to be satisfied with our illusions, to grow arrogant and aggressive, to suppress innocent lives and to stockpile weapons. We stopped being our neighbour’s keepers and stewards of our common home. We have ravaged the garden of the earth with war and by our sins we have broken the heart of our heavenly Father, who desires us to be brothers and sisters. We grew indifferent to everyone and everything except ourselves. Now with shame we cry out: Forgive us, Lord!

Holy Mother, amid the misery of our sinfulness, amid our struggles and weaknesses, amid the mystery of iniquity that is evil and war, you remind us that God never abandons us, but continues to look upon us with love, ever ready to forgive us and raise us up to new life. He has given you to us and made your Immaculate Heart a refuge for the Church and for all humanity. By God’s gracious will, you are ever with us; even in the most troubled moments of our history, you are there to guide us with tender love.

We now turn to you and knock at the door of your heart. We are your beloved children. In every age you make yourself known to us, calling us to conversion. At this dark hour, help us and grant us your comfort. Say to us once more: “Am I not here, I who am your Mother?” You are able to untie the knots of our hearts and of our times. In you we place our trust. We are confident that, especially in moments of trial, you will not be deaf to our supplication and will come to our aid.

That is what you did at Cana in Galilee, when you interceded with Jesus and he worked the first of his signs. To preserve the joy of the wedding feast, you said to him: “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3). Now, O Mother, repeat those words and that prayer, for in our own day we have run out of the wine of hope, joy has fled, fraternity has faded. We have forgotten our humanity and squandered the gift of peace. We opened our hearts to violence and destructiveness. How greatly we need your maternal help!

Therefore, O Mother, hear our prayer.
Star of the Sea, do not let us be shipwrecked in the tempest of war.
Ark of the New Covenant, inspire projects and paths of reconciliation.
Queen of Heaven, restore God’s peace to the world.

Eliminate hatred and the thirst for revenge, and teach us forgiveness.
Free us from war, protect our world from the menace of nuclear weapons.
Queen of the Rosary, make us realize our need to pray and to love.
Queen of the Human Family, show people the path of fraternity.
Queen of Peace, obtain peace for our world.

O Mother, may your sorrowful plea stir our hardened hearts. May the tears you shed for us make this valley parched by our hatred blossom anew. Amid the thunder of weapons, may your prayer turn our thoughts to peace. May your maternal touch soothe those who suffer and flee from the rain of bombs. May your motherly embrace comfort those forced to leave their homes and their native land. May your Sorrowful Heart move us to compassion and inspire us to open our doors and to care for our brothers and sisters who are injured and cast aside.

Holy Mother of God, as you stood beneath the cross, Jesus, seeing the disciple at your side, said: “Behold your son” (Jn 19:26). In this way he entrusted each of us to you. To the disciple, and to each of us, he said: “Behold, your Mother” (v. 27). Mother Mary, we now desire to welcome you into our lives and our history. At this hour, a weary and distraught humanity stands with you beneath the cross, needing to entrust itself to you and, through you, to consecrate itself to Christ. The people of Ukraine and Russia, who venerate you with great love, now turn to you, even as your heart beats with compassion for them and for all those peoples decimated by war, hunger, injustice and poverty.

Therefore, Mother of God and our Mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the Church and all humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine. Accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love. Grant that war may end and peace spread throughout the world. The “Fiat” that arose from your heart opened the doors of history to the Prince of Peace. We trust that, through your heart, peace will dawn once more. To you we consecrate the future of the whole human family, the needs and expectations of every people, the anxieties and hopes of the world.

Through your intercession, may God’s mercy be poured out on the earth and the gentle rhythm of peace return to mark our days. Our Lady of the “Fiat”, on whom the Holy Spirit descended, restore among us the harmony that comes from God. May you, our “living fountain of hope”, water the dryness of our hearts. In your womb Jesus took flesh; help us to foster the growth of communion. You once trod the streets of our world; lead us now on the paths of peace. Amen.

19/03/2022

TODAY: THE CHURCH CELEBRATES THE SOLEMNITY OF ST JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Most of what is known about St. Joseph is recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew and there is hardly any statement attributed to him in the Scriptures. He appeared to be a very quiet individual who also lived a pious life.

He is also regarded as a just man with a compassionate heart as exemplified in his initial attempt to quietly discharge Mary when she was found with child, until the angel of God told him otherwise. He was also a man with a docile and humble heart, ready to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and readily submit himself to God's will without hesitation.

His outstanding attributes prepared him for the role of being the Saviour's guardian apart from the fact that he was a descendant of the Davidic lineage.
May his life teach us that humility is the key to open God's heart towards us and may we always be ready to place ourselves in God's service. Amen

17/03/2022

TODAY: THE CHURCH CELEBRATES THE FEAST OF ST. PATRICK OF IRELAND, BISHOP

Patrick was born around 387 AD in Roman Britain but was later captured as a slave by Irish Pirates at the age of 14 to work in Ireland as a domestic servant. Although, Ireland as at then was occupied by the Druids who were pagan, Patrick got converted during his sojourn there and burned with zeal for the faith.

At the age of 20, he escaped with God's intervention and returned to his homeland. While in Britain, he felt a burning desire to evangelize the Irish people which prompted him to pursue the priestly life. He was later ordained by St. Gemanus, Bishop of Auxerre, became a Bishop and returned to Ireland to preach the Gospel.

During his sojourn at Ireland which lasted over 30 years, St. Patrick was able to convert thousands of the native Druids to Christianity while also building Churches across the land. With the use of shamrocks (a peculiar kind of flower) he was able to explain the mystery of the Blessed Trinity to the people which further strengthened their faith. By the time of Patrick's death in 461 AD, the Christian faith had been firmly established in Ireland.
He is a secondary Patron of the Church in Nigeria due to the impact of Irish Missionary activity in Nigeria.

May his example teach us to burn with unwavering zeal for the Gospel. Amen

13/03/2022

We join the universal church in Nigeria to congratulate the newly elected executives of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in the just concluded plenary meeting of the Bishops held at the Catholic Secretariat Resource Center, Durumi , Abuja recently.

THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS OF
THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF NIGERIA
MARCH 2022

PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji President
Most Rev. Matthew Man’oso Ndagoso Vice-President
Most Rev. Donatus Ogun Secretary
Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo Assistant Secretary

DEPARTMENT CHAIRMEN
Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins Church & Society
Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke Pastoral Agents
Most Rev. Stephen Dami Mamza Mission and Dialogue
Most Rev. Augustine Echema Pastoral Affairs
Most Rev. David Ajang Social Communications

BOARD CHAIRMEN
Most Rev. Anthony Ademu Adaji Finance Council
Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah Veritas University
Most Rev. Camillus Umoh CIWA
Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins CCFN
Most Rev. Matthew Ishaya Audu Opus Securitatis
Most Rev. John Oyejola PMS
Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye Commission on Mission

CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES

Pastoral Affairs

Most Rev. Augustine Echema Liturgy
Most Rev. Peter Okpaleke Canon Law
Most Rev. Oliver Dashe Doeme Pilgrimages/Synods & Congresses
Most Rev. Francis Adesina Religious Edu./Biblical/Catechesis
Most Rev. Denis Isizoh Inculturation/Translation
Most Rev. Michael Elue Theology
Most Rev. Peter Chukwu Ethics
Most Rev. Julius Kundi New Evangelisation

Pastoral Agents

Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke Clergy
Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe Religious & Consecrated Life
Most Rev. John Ayah Laity
Most Rev. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah Seminaries
Most Rev. Patrick Eluke Youths

Mission and Dialogue

Most Rev. Stephen Dami mamza Mission
Most Rev. Michael Apochi Ecumenism
Most Rev. Hilary Dachelem Interreligious Dialogue

Church & Society

Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins JDPC
Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor Health
Most Rev. Moses Chikwe Education
Most Rev. Sylvester Luka Gopep Family & Human Life
Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna Refugees & Migrants

CHAPLANICIES

ARMY
Most Rev. Philip Dung Military Chaplaincy

POLICE
Most Rev. Donatus Akpan Police chaplaincy

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS TO BOARDS

Most Rev. Earnest Obodo Finance Council
Most Rev. Michael Gokum Finance council

Most Rev. Callistus Onaga CCFN
Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo CCFN

ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji President
Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso Member
Most Rev. Donatus Ogun Member
Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo Member
Most Rev. Alfred Martins Member
Most Rev. Valerian Okeke Member
Most Rev. Stephen Mamza Member
Most Rev. Augustine Echema Member
Most Rev. David Ajang Member
Most Rev. Anthony Adaji Member
Representative of Calabar Province Member
John Cardinal Onaiyekan Member
Rev. Fr Zacharia Nyantiso Samjumi Secretary

We congratulate the outgone President, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Akubeze and his team for a successful tenure, and we pray for more enlightenment for the newly elected executives as they lead the Church in Nigeria for the next four years.

Directorate of Social Communications,
Auchi Diocese.

11/03/2022

A Communiqué issued at the end of the First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Resource Centre, Durumi, Abuja, 5 – 11 March 2022.

http://www.catholicdioceseofauchi.org/newsdetail.php?tab=47

10/03/2022

Archbishop Elect, Lucius I. Ugorji becomes new President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)

The newly appointed Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, has been elected the new President of CBCN, taking over from Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze whose four year tenure just ended.

To assist Archbishop Ugorji as the Vice President is Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso of Kaduna Archdiocese. The new CBCN Secretary is Bishop Donatus Ogun, OSA, of Uromi Diocese, while Bishop Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo of Abeokuta Diocese is the Assistant Secretary.

Besides the principal officers, other Bishops were also elected to oversee various departments and units of the Catholic Secretariat.

The new officers will lead the Conference for the next four years.
Let’s accompany them with prayer 🙏

02/03/2022

Today marks the beginning of Lent. What do you know about this period?

05/12/2021

Invitation! Invitation!! Invitation!!!

04/08/2021

TODAY: The Church Celebrates the Memorial of St. John Mary-Vianney of Ars

John Vianney was born in Dardilly, France in 1786 and his experience of the French Revolution kindled the love for the Priesthood in him because he considered Priests as heroes. When he attained the age of 20 years, he moved to Ecully to undergo some elementary studies. In 1809, he was drafted into Napoleon's Army after the Revolution had subsided and the Catholic faith was once more re-established. He, however, fled into the woods as a deserter after falling ill shortly after he joined the Army. In 1812, he returned to Ecully to continue his studies which he struggled with due to the interruption caused by the Revolution. He was ordained a Priest in 1815 and was posted to the village of Ars which had become notorious for its unbelief. With determination, St. Vianney was ble to tranform their manner of living with preaching, confession and penance. the village soon became a pilgrimage centre as many travelled far to seek his wise counsel in the confessional. He died in the year 1859 and was canonized by Pope Pius X in 1925.
May his life teach us that simplicity and not intellectualism is what pleases God. Amen

29/07/2021

Pope Francis on Tuesday added the memorial of Sts. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus to the General Roman Calendar, giving the siblings the combined feast day of July 29.

28/06/2021

SAINT OF THE DAY
SAINT IRENAEUS

The writings of St. Irenaeus entitle him to a high place among the
fathers of the Church, for they not only laid the foundations of Christian theology but, by exposing and refuting the errors of the gnostics, they delivered the Catholic Faith from the real danger of the doctrines of those heretics.

He was probably born about the year 125, in one of those maritime provinces of Asia Minor where the memory of the apostles was still cherished and where Christians were numerous. He was most influenced by St. Polycarp who had known the apostles or their immediate disciples

Many Asian priests and missionaries brought the gospel to the pagan Gauls and founded a local church. To this church of Lyon, Irenaeus came to serve as a priest under its first bishop, St. Pothinus, an oriental like himself. In the year 177, Irenaeus was sent to Rome. This mission explains how it was that he was not called upon to share in the martyrdom of St Pothinus during the terrible persecution in Lyons. When he returned to Lyons it was to occupy the vacant bishopric. By this time, the persecution was over. It was the spread of Gnosticism in Gaul, and the ravages it was making among the Christians of his diocese, that inspired him to undertake the task of exposing its errors. He produced a treatise in five books in which he sets forth fully the inner doctrines of the various sects, and afterwards contrasts them with the teaching of the Apostles and the text of the Holy Scripture. His work, written in Greek but quickly translated to Latin, was widely circulated and succeeded in dealing a death-blow to gnosticism. At any rate, from that time onwards, it ceased to offer a serious menace to the Catholic faith.

02/03/2021

Save the date...

02/03/2021

Less than a week to the event. Save the date...

09/02/2021

Rejoice with us as the Diocese of Auchi celebrates the Investiture of 3 Priests as Monsignors & 23 Lay faithful as Papal Knights & Medalists. She also celebrates the life & times of Msgr. Thomas Oleghe who celebrates his Centenary Birthday which will all be in commemoration of the 18th Anniversary of the Er****on of the Diocese. May God bless the Diocese of Auchi & her Chief Shepherd, Most Rev. Gabriel G. Dunia.