By Cecilia Ologunagba

Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, has condemned incessant kidnapping of catholic priests and other ministers of God, describing it as molestation of the church.

Kaigama, in his homily on Sunday at St. Anthony’s Parish, Yangoji, Abuja, said an act of kidnapping was criminal, ungodly and degrading to humanity.

Kaigama, who spoke at a mass to mark Solemnity of Baptism of the Lord, said it should be clear to the kidnapers that the mission of Catholic Church was to bring good news to the needy and poor.

“Whatever may be the motive of the kidnappers, monetary or sheer intimidation, it should be clear to those engaged in such nefarious activities that the Catholic Church brings good news to the poor through huge sacrifices.

“She complements government’s efforts through her selfless social, educational and medical services to the needy, so molesting the Church is molesting the needy.

“Whatever the Catholic Church has and does, is for the good of all, irrespective of religious, ethnic or political differences,” he said.

“We pray for the release of those who are still in captivity and for the conversion of the perpetrators of this inhuman act.

“May Christ manifest Himself to the perpetrators of such evil actions as kidnapping, rape, killings, etc and grant them a change of heart,’’ he said.

Kaigama said the purpose of his visit was to pray with the parishioners and to encourage them to persevere more in faith.

He said they should not to give in to despair with the happenings around them, especially in the light of the kidnap of their parish priest.

He recalled that the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Matthew Dajo was detained by his captors for 10 days, from Nov. 22 before his release on Dec. 2, 2020.

“We thank God that despite his travails in the hands of his abductors, he remains generally well, apart from the psychological trauma he still suffers.

“I commend you for your strength of faith, and for persevering in prayers with the conviction that he would be released.

“You did not allow the sad incident to demoralise you as you continued your spiritual and pastoral activities to the surprise of the perpetrators of such an evil,’’ the Archbishop said.

Speaking on solemnity of Baptism of Jesus, Kaigama said it was a call to reject sins and embrace God, saying “Baptism is one of the sacraments in the church.

“Baptism is a primordial sacrament, because, “unless one is born of water and the Holy Spirit, he will not enter the kingdom of God” according to Gospel of John chapter three verse five.

“The Holy Spirit at baptism confers on the baptised the grace of purification and the right of adoption; it is God’s seal, His mark of ownership on us.

“Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.”

While many Christians recall and mark their birthday, he said very few recall or celebrate the anniversary of their baptism, urging Christians to do so.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Baptism of the Lord is the feast day commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist and the Sunday ends the Christmas season. (NAN)

By Aderemi Bamgbose

The Christian Association (CAN), Okitipupa Chapter, Ondo State, on Tuesday urged Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the unity and peace as well as stronger and better Nigeria for all.

The Chairman, CAN, Okitipupa Chapter, Pastor Peter Akinyelure, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Okitipupa.

Akinyelure said that what the country needed now was for all Christians, Muslims and Traditional worshippers to continue to pray for the country and put-up a common front.

According to him, if everything fails, God and prayers will never fail, the current challenges in the country are just temporary if Nigerians will not relent in their prayers.

He also appealed to government at all levels to create jobs for the youths to guide against youths restiveness and protests that always lead to wanton destructions.

“With everything that we are facing in this country right now, my advice in this New Year is for Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the unity and peace of this nation.

“Our country can only be stronger and better if we all can pray because if every other thing failed, God and prayers will not fail,” he said.

Akinyelure also said Okitipupa CAN Chapter would be organising a prayer session on Jan. 6.

He said that the gathering was to start the year with prayers and supplications against any form of wanton destruction which makes the state to lose most of its valuable heritage, especially during the 2020 #EndSARS protest.

“We are starting the New Year with prayers to commit our council area, the state and the country at large to the hand of God, for Him to take charge of everything this 2021,” he said. (NAN)

By Jessica Onyegbula

The General Overseer, All Christians Fellowship Mission (ACFM), Rev. William Okoye has urged Nigerians to pray and trust God for a better and fruitful 2021.

Okoye, who stated this during the New Year service of his church in Abuja, said that to save the country, people needed to start doing things right and be more sincere.

He added that the new year could only be better when things began to happen differently and positively.
According to him, Jesus Christ is the only way to a good and peaceful life.

“The new year is just an opportunity to continue from where we stopped in the previous year.

“However, if we do not change from our evil ways, turn to God and start correcting our mistakes, the new year will not be different from the previous year and things may not get better.

“Nigerians should repent of their sins and be their neighbours’ keepers for peace to reign in the country.

“At a time like this, Nigerians must trust in God. Do not be afraid because the Lord, who has been with us throughout these challenging times, will see us through and we will overcome.

“We are moved by what God can do. It is good for us to know that God is with us and He will not leave or forsake us,” he said.

Okoye emphasised the need for Nigerians to unite and rebuild the country for the benefit of all. (NAN)

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Taskforce on COVID-19 Protocols has rated most Churches high on compliance with safety guidelines during Thursday’s Crossover Services to usher in the New Year.

Mr Ikharo Attah, the Head of Media and Enlightenment of the taskforce, said this while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

Attah said that most Churches were found to have observed health protocols and guidelines issued by the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as well as that of the FCT Administration.

“In all the Churches visited, wearing of facemask was a compulsory criterion for entry, while sufficient hand washing points and sanitisers were adequately provided.

“Also, some had state of the art disinfecting boxes where members were meant to pass through before entering halls or worship arena.

“The first point of call by the team was the old parade ground in Area 10 where the Christ Embassy Church held its crossover service, the taskforce was impressed by the arrangement, but observed that few members took off their facemasks shortly after sitting down.

“Similarly, at the Commonwealth of Zion Church (COZA) located in Guzape District, worshipers were compelled to go through multiple checks and sanitising process.

“Wearing of facemask was compulsory, while family members were encouraged to sit together,” he said.

Attah said that the taskforce also visited the Christ Apostolic Church, located behind the VIO office in Area 1, where it observed that the compliance level was high, as physical distancing and health protocols were maintained.

Similarly, he said that the situation at the ECWA Church near APC National Secretariat, Wuse II, was also commendable, as temperature check was conducted on taskforce members before they entered the premises through the disinfecting boxes.

“When the taskforce got to the Family Worship Centre Wuye, the Church was not in worship service, the security men at the gate informed us that members were told to follow the Lead Pastor, Sarah Omakwu online, as the usual crossover service had been cancelled,” he said.

He, however, observed that the outdoor arrangement in some Churches was not effective, as one of the monitoring screens was not functional.

“This forced worshippers to go in and see things for themselves; we made our observations and corrected them.

“Other Churches visited by the taskforce included Methodist Church located at Wuse Zone 3 and the Assemblies of God Church, Garki Area 11,” he said. (NAN)