Voice of the Faithful

08/09/2023

*UPDATED: Bandits set Catholic church ablaze in Kaduna, seminarian killed*

Gunmen suspected to be bandits in the night of Thursday September 7, launched a vacious attack on the Catholic Church located in Fadam Kamantan, Zango Kataf local government area of Kaduna State.

The Parish in Kamantan is under the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Jema’a local government area.

In a video exclusively obtained by NewsBand Newspaper, the criminal elements set the parish ablaze before eloping into the bush.

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Unfortunately, a seminarian died during the attack by the terrorists. Sources said that the deceased seminarian identified as Stephen Naman died from the smoke he inhaled while attempting to escape from the grasp of the attackers.

Meanwhile, when contacted, the spokesman of the command in Kaduna, ASP Mansir Alhassan, confirmed the incident.

01/04/2023

*‘I Am Still Alive’ – Pope Francis Jokes As He Leaves Hospital*

Pope Francis leaves the Gemelli hospital on April 1, 2023 in Rome, after being discharged following treatment for bronchitis. – The 86-year-old pontiff was admitted to Gemelli hospital on March 29 after suffering from breathing difficulties.

Pope Francis left hospital on Saturday after a three-night stay to treat bronchitis, stopping to say hello to well-wishers and joking he was “still alive”.

The 86-year-old pontiff, who was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital last Wednesday with breathing difficulties, got out of the car transporting him and smiled and joked with the crowd.

Asked by someone how he felt, he quipped twice with a big smile “I am still alive!”

As the crowds clapped, Francis headed off to the Vatican to begin preparations for Holy Week and Easter, the most important week in the Christian calendar.

The pontiff felt unwell Wednesday after a general audience in St Peter’s Square, but his condition improved after he was given antibiotics.

Pope hospital rome 3
This photo grabbed from a video taken and handout by The Vatican Media on March 31, 2023 shows Pope Francis baptising a baby boy named Miguel Angel, while visiting children at the oncology ward of the Gemelli hospital in Rome, the same hospital where the Pope was admitted to another ward on March 29 for bronchitis.

On Friday, the pope visited the children’s cancer ward at the hospital, handing out chocolate Easter eggs and even baptising a weeks-old baby boy, according to a video published by the Vatican.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis had been working earlier on Friday in the hospital’s private papal suite on the 10th floor and catching up on newspapers.

On Thursday night, he ate pizza with some hospital staff.

The Argentine pope confirmed on Saturday he will preside over Palm Sunday mass in St Peter’s Square, the start of a busy week of events leading up to Easter.

Francis’ hospitalisation was his second since 2021, when he underwent colon surgery, also at Gemelli

His increasing health issues over the past year have sparked widespread concern, including speculation that he might choose to retire rather than stay in the job for life.

– ‘I was afraid’ –
His predecessor, Benedict XVI, quit in 2013, in a radical step not seen since the Middle Ages.

Visitors to St Peter’s Square on Friday expressed relief over his recovery.

“I was afraid for the pope,” said one 56-year-old Italian tourist who gave his name as Davide.

“But I’m happy he’s better, that he’s returning. For believers and the Catholic community, it’s important,” he added.

Francis marked 10 years as the head of the worldwide Catholic Church earlier this month.

He has pushed through major governance reforms and sought to forge a more open, compassionate Church, although he has faced internal opposition, particularly from conservatives.



Pope hospital rome 1
Pope Francis hugs a woman who came to him as he leaves the Gemelli hospital on April 1, 2023 in Rome, after being discharged following treatment for bronchitis. – The 86-year-old pontiff was admitted to Gemelli hospital on March 29 after suffering from breathing difficulties. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)

– Presiding over mass –
He has repeatedly said he would consider stepping down were his health to fail him — but said last month that for now, he has no plans to quit.

During Palm Sunday mass, Francis is expected to remain seated while another cleric — probably a senior cardinal — conducts the ceremony at the altar.

The Vatican, citing medical staff, said on Thursday that Francis had been diagnosed with “infectious bronchitis” requiring antibiotics, and that the treatment had brought about a “marked improvement in his state of health”.

The Gemelli hospital is the favoured choice of pontiffs to the point of being dubbed “Vatican 3” by pope John Paul II, who was treated nine times at Gemelli and spent a total of 153 days there.

A Jesuit who seems most happy being among his flock, Francis continues to travel internationally and keep a busy schedule.

But he has been forced to use a wheelchair and a walking stick in the past year because of knee pain, and admitted last summer that he had to slow down.

He said on Thursday he was “touched by the many messages” he was receiving in hospital, thanking on Twitter those praying for his recovery.

Francis’ earlier stay at Gemelli in July 2021 lasted 10 days. He was admitted after suffering from a type of diverticulitis, an inflammation of pockets that develop in the lining of the intestine, that required surgery.

In an interview in January, the pope said the diverticulitis had returned.

01/04/2023

*POPE FRANCIS APPOINTS FORMER MARRIED ANGLICAN BISHOP A MONSIGNOR*

The Pope has promoted a former Anglican bishop to the rank of Monsignor less than a year after he was ordained a Catholic priest.

Mgr John Goddard, the former Bishop of Burnley, has also been made a “chaplain to His Holiness” within six months of his ordination as a priest for the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

The father-of-two was received into the Catholic faith in May 2021 by Auxiliary Bishop Tom Williams of Liverpool and ordained a priest in the Lutyens Chapel of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool, on April 2 last year.

Following a petition from Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool, Pope Francis agreed in November to honour Mgr Goddard in recognition of his previous 50 years of “priestly and episcopal service in the Church of England”.

The elevation of Mgr Goddard will be celebrated publicly by Archbishop McMahon when he visits St Oswald’s Church in Longton, Lancashire, on April 29 and the decree from the Pope will be read in the presence of the faithful.

Mgr Goddard, 75, serves as assistant priest at St Oswald’s and also celebrates Mass at the Church of St Mary Magdalen and the Church of St Teresa, both in Penwortham, near Preston, Lancashire.

He said: “Because I was a Catholic for a short time and a Catholic priest for a shorter time, I think it is unusual.

“I made a decision carefully and thoughtfully to not join the Ordinariate (of Our Lady of Walsingham). It wasn’t for me. I needed to be incorporated with the diocese and the normality of the Catholic Church. I think that was my vocation.”

He said: “I think the Pope recognising 50 years of priestly and episcopal service encourages me to see this as part of a steady path toward completion and fulfilment within the Catholic Church.

“I hope it would encourage others to ask if God is not calling them the same way.”

He added that the faithful of the three parishes in which he serves were “overjoyed” by his elevation.

Mgr Goddard was one of five former Anglican bishops who have chosen to become Catholics in the last four years.

Jonathan Goodall, the former Bishop of Ebbsfleet, has since been ordained a priest in Westminster Cathedral, and former Anglican Bishop of Rochester Michael Nazir-Ali has become a priest of the Ordinariate.

Mgr Nazir-Ali was the first former diocesan – as opposed to suffragan, area or “flying – Anglican bishop to be received into the Catholic Church since Bishop Graham Leonard of London and Bishop Richard Rutt of Leicester in 1994.

He was created a prelate of honour by Pope Francis in April last year, and was also given the rank of monsignor.

The retired Bishop of Chester, Peter Forster, was received into the Catholic faith in autumn 2021, while Catholic Herald associate editor Dr Gavin Ashenden, a former chaplain to the Queen and a traditionalist Anglican bishop, became a Catholic in Shrewsbury Cathedral at Christmas 2019.

*Source : Catholic Herald*

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19/01/2023

French nun, Sister Andre, the world's oldest person, has died today at the age of 118. Born Lucile Randon, she converted to Catholicism in 1923 at the age of 19, later entering religious life with the Daughters of Charity in 1944.
May she Rest In Peace Amen

19/01/2023

19/01/2023

Fr Marlon Mucio MSS, a Roman Catholic priest in Brazil 🇧🇷 even on oxygen support still says mass and preaches.
He is suffering from a rare disease.

Kindly keep him in your prayers 🙏

16/01/2023

Big shout out to my newest top fans!

Jah Kadibia

16/01/2023

Breaking news!!! A blind deacon ordained a catholic priest in Kenya.

“Jubilation and thanksgiving to God as the Catholic Church in Kenya witness the extraordinary ordination of the first blind priest, Rev Deacon Michael Mithamo King'ori of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri to priesthood.

His is a story of "with God, all things are possible." Congratulations to Fr Michael Mithamo and gratitude to Most Rev Anthony Muheria for granting such a fete of grace. “

Seed Consolata The Catholic Mirror - KCCB Archdiocese of Nairobi Archbishop Muheria

15/01/2023

BREAKING: Bandits Burn Catholic Priest to Death in Niger State, Nigeria

The parish priest of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church in Kafin-koro in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, Rev Father Isaac Achi, has been burnt to death by armed bandits.

It was gathered that the bandits who invaded his residence at 3 am on Sunday, January 15, 2023, also injured his colleague identified as Father Collins.

The terrorists were said to have attempted to gain entrance into the catholic parish house and in the course of having difficulty in gaining entrance set the parish house ablaze, and waited until it burnt to ashes with him in it.

Father Collins was shot on the shoulder while trying to escape from the scene.

Spokesperson of the Niger Police Command, DSP Abiodun Wasiu, who confirmed the incident, said effort is ongoing to apprehend the assailants.

“On 15/01/2023 at about 0300hrs, armed bandits invaded the Parish residence of one Rev. Father Isaac Achi of St. Peters and Paul Catholic Church, along Daza road, Kafin-Koro, Paikoro LGA,” the statement read.

“Unfortunately, the bandits reportedly attempted to gain entrance into the residence, but seemed difficult and set the house ablaze, while the said Rev. Father was burnt dead.

“A colleague of the Rev. Father identified as Father Collins was equally shot in the shoulder while trying to escape from the scene. Police tactical teams attached to Kafin-Koro Div were immediately drafted to the scene, but the hoodlums had escaped before the arrival of the teams

“The lifeless body of Father Isaac was recovered while Father Collins was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

“The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command CP Ogundele Ayodeji had dispatched a reinforcement team to the area and effort is ongoing to apprehend the assailants as investigation into the unfortunate attack has commenced.”

04/01/2023

WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS WHEN A POPE DIES (kindly read through patiently)?

The death of the Bishop of Rome (Pope) is marked by a series and sequence of rites and rituals that have been observed since the early centuries of Christianity. When the Pope dies, the camerlengo is notified and immediately he assumes the position of the Supreme Pontiff until the Cardinals gather in Rome to elect the new Pope.

The body of the dead Pope has to be burried between the 4th and 6th day of his death. The official mourning period is nine days in which different Cardinals preside over the celebration of Requim Holy Mass. Traditionally the head of the late Pope would be hit with a hammer as his baptismal name is called out, once his physician has confirmed the time of his death. If the Pope did not respond then he would be confirmed dead to the entire world.

The Papal ring (fisherman's ring) is removed and crushed to mark the end of the Pope's reign. This is also done to avoid forgery of documents in the Pope's name. The Papal apartment is completely sealed with wax to avoid looting of Papal documents after his death.

The Pope is then clothed in red vestments as red is the customary color of mourning Popes. The Pope's body is placed in three coffins, the first one is made of cypress and this signifies that he was an ordinary man just like any other person. The next coffin is made of Zinc (traditionally lead would be used) which signifies durability, and on it a crucifix is placed. The Pope's name and reign of Papacy is inscribed on it.

Finally both coffins are placed in the third one made out of walnut (traditionally elm was used but due to its scarcity around Rome, it's hardly longer used. This shows the dignity of the office of the Pope. The final/third coffin is hammered with pure gold nails.

The Pope is buried in St Peter's Basilica in Rome.The people can see the tomb of the Pope at the Basilica where many Pope's have been burried since the early centuries of Christianity.

Traditionally some organs of the Popes could be taken for burial and sent as relics in other places. However, Pope Pius X abolished this customary practice in the early 1900s. As a result of this, when Pope John Paul II died in 2005, the Vatican averts that his heart would not be sent to his native home Poland; as a relic according to the request of his home town people.

Since the photos were released some few days ago showing the dead body of late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. There has been some series of questions about the vestments he is shown in and whether it reflects some symbolic choice particular to him.

In point of fact this particular design schema (i.e. a red gothic chasuble with a broad gold orphrey) simply aligns to recent papal burial custom. Every pope since the time of Paul VI has been so vested (see images) and popes are traditionally buried in red.

The mitre worn to late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI here is simple papal penitential mitre, white/cloth of silver and gold-trimmed, likewise aligns to more general custom that has been used for the past number of popes. (The cloth of gold mitre being the other tradition.)

Some have inquired about the absence of pallium on late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The pallium is a sign of jurisdiction and the traditional rule in this regard is that if a prelate who had that privilege is being laid out in a place where he does not have jurisdiction (such as in this instance since Benedict XVI no longer had that jurisdiction with his abdication - retirement), the pallium is placed beneath his head rather than worn around his shoulder.

Once a Pope passes away, a doctor confirms the death in the presence of the Cardinal Chamberlain and the Vatican's Director of health services. To mark the Pope's death, the bells of St. Peter's Basilica toll. Then, throughout the city of Rome, churches join in spreading the news throughout the Eternal City, and to the entire world.

Tradition holds that the Cardinal Vicar of Rome makes the official announcement to the public. Usually a period of nine days is declared for official mourning, which also gives time for pilgrims, cardinals, and heads of state to travel to Rome. The body of the deceased Pope is then placed in the Apostolic Palace for members of the Curia to pay their respects, and then it is moved to Saint Peter's Basilica to allow pilgrims to pay their last respects.

But, with the death of the Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, typical Vatican protocol is likely to differ. As he was the Bishop of Rome for 8 years, Pope Francis may ask for the Pope emeritus' funeral to be conducted like that of a reigning pope. This would mean a Vatican state funeral held in Saint Peter's Square.

Normally, a cardinal would celebrate the funeral Mass. For example, when Pope John Paul II died, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger(the future Pope) was the celebrant. However, as there is a living pope, Pope Francis will most likely celebrate the Requim Holy Mass for the Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

It will be a state funeral as the Pope is the Head of the Vatican State. So it's likely different heads of states and delegations from around the world may come to pay their respects.

Once the funeral Mass is over, the coffin is then taken into St. Peter's Basilica to be laid in its final resting place. There, pilgrims will be able to visit and pray at Pope emeritus Benedict XVI's tomb.

At the request of the Pope emeritus, his coffin will be kept in the Vatican crypt. It will be placed in the same area in which St. John XXIII was buried for 38 years and St. John Paul II for 8 years, before their remains were transferred to the Basilica above.

Another major difference regarding Vatican protocol is that there will be no conclave after the funeral. Pope Francis will continue to serve as the successor of Saint Peter and Vicar of Christ in the entire world.

03/01/2023

POPE BENEDICT XVI TO BE BURIED IN 3 COFFINS . ⚰

As the Emeritus Bishop of Rome and Pope of the Holy Catholic Church, the three coffin ritual outlined for the burial of Popes will be followed, as specified in the Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff.

The three coffins used for the internment of a Pope are as follows:

A cypress coffin. The mortal remains of the Holy Father are placed inside this coffin. A copy of the program from the funeral Mass is placed in the innermost coffin made of cypress, as are bags of silver, gold, and copper coins. The number of coins in each bag equals the number of years of the papacy. The simple wooden coffin made of cypress signifies he is an ordinary human being like everyone else. The coffin is sealed and wrapped with three silk ribbons before being placed in a lead casket. The picture below is the cypress coffin.

A lead casket -- The lead casket, which is soldered shut, is engraved with the pope's name and dates of his papacy, as well as a skull and crossbones. The lead coffin is more durable and the Pope's name and the years of his pontificate are engraved on it. Important documents he issued are also placed in this coffin. The lead coffin will in turn be placed in an elm coffin and interred under a marble slab.

An elm casket -- Finally, the lead casket is placed in an elm coffin which is nailed shut with golden nails, the elm coffin is meant to indicate the Pope's dignity, since elm is a rare and precious wood in the area of Italy around Rome.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church - Silverest Parish

31/12/2022

*BREAKING NEWS: POPE BENEDICT RETURNS TO GOD*

The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away on Saturday at 9:34 AM in his residence at the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has returned to the Father’s House.

The Holy See Press Office announced that he died at 9:34 AM on Saturday morning in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, which the 95-year-old Pope Emeritus had chosen as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013.

“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 AM in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible. As of Monday morning, 2 January 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter’s Basilica so the faithful can bid farewell.”

News of worsening health condition
Already for several days, the health conditions of the Pope Emeritus had worsened due to advancing age, as the Press Office had reported in its updates of the evolving situation.

Pope Francis himself publicly shared the news about his predecessor’s worsening health at the end of the last General Audience of the year, on 28 December.

The Pope had invited people to pray for the Pope Emeritus, who was “very ill”, so that the Lord might console him and support him “in this witness of love for the Church until the end.”

Following this invitation, prayer initiatives sprung up and multiplied on all continents, along with an outpouring of messages of solidarity and closeness from secular leaders.
Funeral plans

In the next few hours, the Holy See Press Office will communicate the news of the funeral rite

May God grant his soul eternal repose 🕯️🙏

23/12/2022

Rev. Fr. Mark Ojotu of Otukpo Diocese abducted

A Priest of the Catholic Dioceses of Otukpo and Chaplain of St. Mary’s Hospital, Okpoga, Rev. Fr. Mark Ojotu, was kidnapped yesterday, December 22, 2022.

In a statement by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, which was made available to the National Directorate of Social Communications in Abuja, Fr. Ojotu was abducted at about 5:00pm along Okpoga-Ojapo Road, Okpokwu LGA of Benue State.

Following the sad development, the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Apochi, has called on all Christ’s faithful in and beyond the Diocese, “to earnestly pray for his quick and safe release as we intensify efforts to ensure his release.”

The statement further commended Fr. Ojotu “and all those in the kidnappers’ den throughout the country to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors.”

21/11/2022

*Sad News: Catholic Priest kidnapped in Enugu during Adoration Prayers*

NSUKKA—The Parish Priest of St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Eburummiri, Ibagwa-Aka, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, Rev. Fr. Victor Ishiwu, was in the early hours of Saturday, (eve of the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King) allegedly kidnapped while officiating adoration prayers.

Vanguard gathered that the kidnappers stormed the adoration ground after midnight and started shooting sporadically into the air.

It was further learnt that the worshippers, including Fr. Ishiwu, scampered for safety and dispersed to different locations.

However, according to an eyewitness account, the kidnappers, who allegedly spoke pidgin English and Fulani languages trailed the cleric to the Parish House and threatened to burn church facilities if he refused to come out.

It was further learnt that when the cleric refused to heed to their warning, the kidnappers allegedly forced themselves into the Parish House through the church chapel which they cut open.

They allegedly whisked the cleric to an unknown destination when they gained access to his hiding place in the Parish House.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Enugu State Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said he was yet to receive a detailed report on the incident.

“I am not yet in receipt of a detail report of the incident please,” he said.

*Source: Vanguard Media*

03/10/2022

Fr. MBAKA:
THE TRUE POSITION.
3 October, 2022

Going by an interview with the Director of Communications, Enugu Diocese, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Achi, Very Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka was not removed from the Adoration Ministry, as many reports are suggesting.

Rather, according to Fr. Achi, since it was recommended that Fr. Mbaka takes time away in solitude, in order to listen to what the Spirit of God has to tell him, he was allowed to propose a priest to administer to the faithful at the Adoration Ministry in the interim.

With the approval of his Bishop, on Sunday, 2 October 2022, Fr. Mbaka introduced Fr. Anthony Amadi to the worshippers.

Unfortunately some people were still not pleased, and would prefer that Fr. Mbaka remains.

What every true Christian, and especially true Catholics, should do at this moment is to commit our dear brother and priest Fr. Mbaka, to God in prayer so that he may, through this moment, encounter God specially, come out stronger and better in recognizing His will for him and the grace to channel those gifts for His glory and for the sanctification of the people of God and society at large.
The Church loves Fr. Mbaka and cherishes him as an illustrious son. May our Mother Mary, the Queen of all Apostles, intercede for him. Amen.

Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh,
National Director of Communications
Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN)