Faith

Priests have no business with accumulation of wealth – Bishop Ezeokafor

Published

6 months ago

April 7, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

…Urges clerics to concentrate on their priestly duty

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, says that Catholic Priests have no business with accumulation of wealth, wondering why someone who has no child and family should engage in unbridled quest for materialism, emphasizing that their duty is to propagate the gospel and win souls for God.

Bishop Ezeokafor while admonishing Priests exhorted Catholic Faithful to always support their priests spiritually, physically and materially, saying that as followers of Christ, they should understand that priests are Christ’s representatives on earth and deserved to be encouraged and protected.

Bishop Ezeokafor who gave the charge while delivering a homily to mark this year’s Chrism Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, urged the priests to continue in their onerous task of winning souls for Christ.

The Local Ordinary enjoined the priests to endeavour to practice what they preached, noting that their primary assignment was to propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Speaking on the State of the Nation, the Charismatic and influential Prelate said that the situation in the country was terrible and urged all to persevere, even as he appreciated the Catholic faithful for coming to pay homage to him despite the sufferings in the country.

‘Is it the Cashless economy? the untold hardship caused by it? It is really a bad experience. Many businesses collapsed. Movements was halted. No physical cash to move around. People lamented and cried. Nevertheless, we must continue the struggle of faith, the nation and what have you. It is important we continue the struggle. I thank you all for your steadfastness,’ Bishop Ezeokafor said.

He stated that no priest should engage in partisan politics, even as he said that Muslim had an agenda with Muslim/Muslim ticket.

On Cathedraticum, Bishop Ezeokafor described it as annual celebration that should be celebrated by all Catholic faithful in the Diocese and beyond, explaining it was a time set aside for parishioners to pay homage to their Diocesan bishop.

Bishop Ezeokafor who described the Holy Thursday observation as a spiritual reawakening moment for all and sundry, urged Christians to imbibe the spirit of prayerfulness and be steadfast in pursuit of heavenly goals.

On Confession, Bishop Ezeokafor urged Christians to endeavour to confess their sins to the priests, saying that Priests were under oath to keep the confessor’s sins and should not in any way reveal what transpired.

Paying of homage to the Diocesan bishop by Catholic Faithful from Awka Region, renewal of Priestly vows formed the highpoints of the event.

Faith

‘I am sound, spirit, soul and body’ – Popular Gospel Singer Buchi denies death rumour

Published

2 weeks ago

September 13, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

Popular Gospel Singer, Buchi Atuonwu aka Buchi

A popular Gospel Singer, Buchi Atuonwu, popularly known as Buchi, has urged the public to disregard rumour making the rounds in the social media that he was dead.

Buchi, the global acclaimed gospel singer, refuted the rumour in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday.

According to him, there is no truth in this as I am sound, spirit, soul and body.

“It is unfortunate that desperation has driven many to all manner of mischief.  Thank you all for your care and concern,” Buchi said.

NAN reports that the purported death of the award winning gospel minister went viral on Wednesday on the social media.

Buchi is a renowned Nigerian song-writer, author, poet spoken word and reggae gospel artist loved by millions around the world. (NAN)

Meanwhile, besides the news of Buchi Atuonwu refuting the rumour that he was dead, it has emerged that some celebrities who attended the burial ceremony of popular musician, Mohabad in Lagos on Wednesday were harassed by those reported to be area boys.

The incident left a sour taste for Cute Abiola and music promoters, Kogbadi and OGB Recent who according to reports were made to abandon their vehicles to flee the venue.

Faith

Mosque renamed to ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus’ in Dubai

Published

1 month ago

August 21, 2023

Advocate News Nigeria

• Mary, Mother of Jesus Mosque

The Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Mosque in Al Mushrif, a district in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has been renamed to ‘Mariam, Umm Eisa’ which translates from Arabic to English as ‘Mary Mother of Jesus’.

The renaming of the mosque was ordered by Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi crown prince, “to consolidate bonds of humanity between followers of different religions,” Gulf News reports.Reacting to the development, a senior chaplain at St Andrew’s Church, Andrew Thompson, was quoted as saying, “We are delighted that we are celebrating something that we have in common between both our faiths.

“Mary, as the mother of Jesus, is of course a holy, special figure in our communities. She is a woman who symbolises obedience to God.

“We look forward to growing in deeper understanding with our neighbours, and we celebrate with them the new name of the mosque,” Thompson said.

Jeramie Rinne, senior pastor of the Evangelical Community Church in Abu Dhabi, also hailed the news.

“Mohammad has made another generous gesture of religious tolerance in renaming the mosque.

“The UAE continues to set the pace in this region for peaceful coexistence and cooperation. We are very encouraged and feel blessed to be a part of this nation,” he said.A church in Al Ain was said to have recently opened its doors for Maghrib prayers.

Church workers reportedly laid down carpets on the wooden floor for over 200 Asian Muslim workers to say their prayers.