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Lack of canonical status inhibits OCDS growth in Abuja -Rev Fr Clement ….. As CKC kurudu Parishioners witness reception of New members

Published

10 months ago

on

Pope Francis
By Ignatius Okorocha
Spiritual Assistant of the Secular  Carmelite Order (OCDS) Abuja, Rev Fr Clement Obiorah(OCD) had declared that lack of Canonical status in the OCDS community  Abuja was grossly responsible for its limited growth.
This is even as Parishioners of CKC kurudu were amazingly treated with the  solemn reception of New members of  OCDS.
Speaking on the uniqueness of the ceremony that ushered in solemn reception of the aspirants to the Secular Order of Mount Carmel, Rev Fr Obiorah Said,”Today the Secular Order which is the third arm of the entire Carmelite Order in Nigeria,received the following into it’s membership :Bro Leonard Atabe Uriri and Sister Elizabeth Ojone Ijaja as new members while Sisters Ngozi Obiorah, Dylis Chidumebi Ozioko and Esther Isioma Ohanehi made  their first promise.
“The two new members that were admitted into the Order will start their formation while the other three  that  did their promise will be engaged in intensive  formation for the next three years in preparation for   their definitive  promise.
“As you know, the Carmelite Order has three branches: The Friars, The Nuns and the Secular. So, it is the Secular that made their promise today at the Just concluded Holy Mass in Christ the King Catholic Church Kurudu.
“On what the Order is all about, he said ” the Carmelite Order just like  other religious bodies in the church, is  an expression of the gift of the Holy Spirit that the Catholic Church is enriched with. It is enriched by the spiritual patrimony that our members need and the Holy Spirit gives charism and we express them just like the disciples of Jesus Christ and that enriched the body of Christ.
“So, the religious Orders expresses  some spirituality in the church that is, following Christ. So, the Carmelite Order takes from that charism of faith and prayers that edifies the prayer life of the church. So, other religious bodies go with the preaching of Christ just like the Dominicans and many others. These are really important to the church.
So, we receive our baptism to follow Christ. It is a way of following Christ in holiness.
“So, as a Carmelite, this is  also open to lay people. It is not just only the religious that benefit from this grace, the Secular people can also benefit from the charism of the Carmelite Order.”
Having been in the Archdiocese of Abuja  for over 15 years ago why has the Secular Order not spread to other parishes in the Archdiocese of Abuja, Fr Clement said,” Well, you know that there are different types of influence and the community too, sometimes the number of priest in the parish many in most cases determine the extent to which they can devote time to reach out to other parishes in the Archdiocese.”
Continuing he said,”On a lighter note, even the National promoter of the vocation to Secular Order of Mount Carmel who doubles as Provincial Delegate of OCDS in Nigeria Rev Fr Innocent Igbokwe(OCD)has it in mind to come to Abuja and  meet with the Archbishop on official ground so that we can  establish an OCDS community in the Archdiocese because the community we have now is not canonically established.
” To that extent, I mean that Mother and Queen OCDS Abuja is still attached to the Frairs in CKC kurudu Parish Abuja. So,for the existing OCDS community in Abuja  to have it’s autonomy, it has to be canonically established. Just like a mother, you need to be a mother before you can give birth to children.
“Although these are the factors that have inhibited the OCDS community in Abuja  from growing and giving birth to other branches. Be that as it may, with everything being put out in their perspective place, we intend to reach out to other parishes in the Abuja Archdiocese and the 19 Northern states very soon.We have that prospect.”
In her response, OCDS Director of Formation, Sr RoseMary Jackson Ndueso said,” Well, OCDS has been in Abuja for the past 16 years now and as you rightly noticed, we have been lacking membership from other parishes within the Archdiocese for long because we are still working on our canonical establishment from the Archbishop of Abuja. I have strong believe that once we are done with our canonical status, we shall move into other parishes.
“We are working seriously on that and even the parish where we are presently residing, Christ the King Catholic Church Kurudu, we have been engaging in vocation drive  for quite some time now to win new members. I must give special thanks to our new Spiritual Assistant, Rev Fr Clement Obiorah for his untiring efforts to win members to this community.”
On why the ceremony of reception for the new members and those taking promise were held on Sunday, she said, “it was to enable us win more new members to the Order since lack of membership has been the major problem of the community for long
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Religion

CAN lauds Gov Bago over reintroduction of CRK in Public School

Published

1 week ago

on

March 7, 2025

By

Chairman of the CAN Niger State, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna

 

By Uthman Baba-Al-Naseer- Minna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended the Governor of Niger state, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago for approving the re-introduction of the Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) in public schools across the State.

In a statement by his Media Aide, Daniel Atori, the Chairman of the CAN Niger State, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna described the Governor as one who means well for the people irrespective of their religion.

It should be recalled that, Governor Bago had said when he received a delegation from the Christian community led by the State CAN Executive in company of the Deputy Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Mrs Afiniki Dauda at the Government House, Minna that the option left is to turn to God and His teachings to rebuild family values.

The Governor while explaining that the CRK would help children to grow with the fear of God, added that “the subject will be made compulsory for Christians in all public schools across the State, because family values and morality have been replaced with social vice, resulting in moral decadence”.

In his commendation, the Chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese disclosed that “the Governor’s approval for the reintroduction of CRK in public schools across the state will bring about understanding of the faith and mutual respect.

“I commend the leadership style of the farmer Governor, because he has shown his commitment to fairness and inclusivity irrespective of religion or tribe, which he said has fostered unity and a harmonious society among diverse groups and religion in the state”.

Bishop Yohanna added that, concerted efforts by the government, parents, religious leaders and other relevant stakeholders is needed to ensure the future of the youths is safeguarded.
END

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General News

Lent: Gov Mbah Preaches Forgiveness, Charity, and Empathy

Published

1 week ago

on

March 6, 2025

By

Enugu state governor, Peter Mbah
By Our Reporter
As Christians all over the world begin Lenten observation,Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has called the people of the state, Christian faithful, and Nigerians to see the 2025 Lenten season as a time for forgiveness, penitence, charity, empathy, and sacrifice.
This was as the Government House Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Anthony Udeh, emphasised the need for fasting and prayer as well as reconnecting with God and showing love to all.
Mbah made the call during a holy mass to mark Ash Wednesday at the Government House Chapel, Enugu.
He said, “For us as Christians, this is a journey of 40 days that has just started today. This year’s Lenten season is of a particular resonance because, as you know, it also coincides with the Ramadan, and the Ramadan is also a fasting period for our Muslim brothers. So, it is indeed a call to peace and unity for our country.
“For Christians, Lent is a period that we have to forgive and love one another. It is also a period for us to sacrifice, be empathetic, moderate, and above all, give to charity.
“Again, as you already may have heard the homily or message today, this is a season for prayers, fasting and a season for almsgiving.
“So, I call on our people, Ndi Enugu, and the country at large to not only imbibe these values of sacrifice, moderation, empathy and almsgiving, but also to carry on with it beyond the season.”
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Udeh urged Christians to fast, pray, and extend love to their neighbours, describing Lent as a season of sacrifice.
“The Lenten period offers Christians the opportunity to purify and renew their spiritual life as well as to connect with God,” the Chaplain also added.
Also in attendance at the holy mass where prayers were said for the state and the nation were Government House staff, senior government functionaries, and traditional rulers.
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Religion

Ash Wednesday: NCPC Boss urges Christians to uphold justice, fairness 

Published

1 week ago

on

March 5, 2025

By

Pop Francis
By Our Reporter
As Catholics all over the world commence Lenten observation on Wednesday, the  Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has called on Christians in Nigeria to uphold justice and fairness during the Lenten season.
In his Ash Wednesday message, Bishop Adegbite emphasized the importance of putting God at the center of their fasting and prayers. “When you fast, you must uphold justice and fairness, God must be at the centre of it all,” he said.
Bishop Adegbite explained that Lent is a period of sober reflection, abstinence from food, water, and other pleasures, observed for forty days and forty nights.
He encouraged Nigerians to continue praying together, regardless of their religious affiliations, highlighting the significance of interfaith harmony.
The NCPC boss specifically called for prayers for President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other top government officials, seeking God’s wisdom and direction for them.
Bishop Adegbite prayed that the merciful Lord would bless Nigeria and Nigerians during this fasting period and beyond.
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