The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, has said that media reports claiming that the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, had approved blessings for same-sex couples, was untrue.

Kaigama made the clarification in his homily during the Christmas Mass he conducted at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Pro-Cathedral in Abuja.

According to Kaigama, the viral report is a mischievous disinformation, which is part of a deliberately orchestrated falsehood by the enemies of the Catholic Church in order to cause confusion among its members.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Pope did not, and will never approve blessings for any intending same-sex couples because the position of the Church on this is very clear and has not changed.

“I am the representative of the Pope here, so if there’s any such approval or directive, I’ll be the first to know and relay the message to the brethren.

“The media reports on this issue is the handiwork of the enemies of the Church, who have been busy spending millions of dollars to bring down the Church, but to no avail because they cannot succeed,” he stated.

He admonished Christians not to despair or allow their faith to be shaken by the wanton attacks against the Church by its enemies, adding that evil can never prevail over good, just as darkness cannot overcome light.

Speaking on insecurity across the country, Kaigama urged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and prayers, stressing that before long, the challenge will become a thing of the past.

The cleric called on the perpetrators of crime, especially the incessant kidnapping of Catholic priests across the country, to desist from such, so as to avoid the wrath of God.

He also prayed for Nigeria and its leaders to succeed and urged the Federal Government to step up security measures to stem the tide of crime in the country and rein in the outlaws.

Kaigama said that Christmas signified a season of peace, love, care, change and new birth in the lives of all Christians, who must endeavour to emulate Christ by observing the above biblical principles.(NAN)

By Taiye Agbaje
Pastor Kayode Aliyu of the Cherubim & Seraphim (C&S) Movement Church Worldwide, Daki-Biyu District, Kubwa Branch, says the puported permission by Pope Francis for priests to bestow blessings upon same-sex couples “is a sign of the end time.”
Corroborating Aliyu’s remark, the Senior Pastor and Leader In charge of the church, Special Apostle Alex Ogundipe, said the message was to the fact that “we are in the last phase of the world.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Pope Francis was reported to have, on Monday, granted permission for priests to bestow blessings upon same-sex couples.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church, however, emphasised that such blessings should not be incorporated into routine church ceremonies or associated with civil unions or weddings.
But the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria said that Catholic Churches in the country would not bless same-sex unions, saying the blessing of the same-sex union is against God’s law, the teachings of the church, and the law of the country.
They made this known in a statement released and signed by the President of the conference, Lucius Ugirji and the Secretary, Donayus Ogun on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, while delivering a sermon titled: “End Time Survival: The Strategies to Survive the End Time,” on Sunday in Abuja, Aliyu gave 18 factors to identify the era.
Preaching from the books of Genesis 6: 11 to 18; Mathew 24: 1 to 14 and 2 Timothy 3: 1 to 5, the clergyman said “many shall be lovers of themselves, covetousness, boasters, blasphemers, disobedience to their parents, unthankful, without natural affection, etc.”
Emphasising on people without natural affection and love for one another, Aliyu said God instituted marriage between a man and a woman, and not between man and man or woman and woman.
Giving biblical allusion from Romans 1: 18 to 28, the pastor said, “if we fail to have the knowledge of God, God will give us over to a depraved mind, so that we do what ought not to be done.”
According to him, a church said blessings should be administered on same-sex couples, though part of the church in Nigeria has gone against that; this is a sign of the end time.
Aliyu said what Christians need at this end time was a gift of the discernment of spirit.
According to him, to survive the end time, you need discerning spirit that is based on the word of God.
“For end time survival, you don’t need prophesy. A husband can deceive wife and a wife can decide her husband,” he said.
The cleric, who called on the Christians to deal with those 18 factors listed in the message, urged everyone to be baptised in the Holy Spirit.
“If you have the fruit of the spirit, it will destroy the works of the devil in you,” he said.
Also speaking, Pastor Ogundipe said the church should not forget that the world is going to an end with its lustfulness.
He urged the parents to ensure that their children are taught in the way of God for the betterment of their future and society.
“Let us tell ourselves the truth In preparation for the gift (birth of Jesus Christ) that we will receive tomorrow,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Uchenna Eletuo

The forthcoming Lagos Deeper Life Global Crusade with  Kumuyi (GCK) will afford faithful opportunity to atone for sins, healings and salvation, says the crusade Moderator, Pastor Patrick Oluwi.

Oluwi, the GCK Lagos Moderator, who spoke on the expectations of the event, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday that, the programme scheduled to hold from Dec. 22 to Dec. 26 at the Deeper Life International Conference Centre (DLICC) KM. 42. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, will be filled with divine interventions.

He said that, the renowned, internationally acclaimed evangelist and Bible scholar, Pastor William F. Kumuyi would bring his global gospel campaign to Lagos for souls revival.

According to him,  the crusade, facilitated by GCK, will change people’s perspectives positively on the sonship of Jesus Christ.

” GCK is a monthly gospel crusade that is streamed through satellite and social media platforms from an alpha location to the rest of the world.

“It  is now in its third year and has provided a great opportunity for the salvation, healing, and deliverance of thousands of people around the world.

” This will make it the third time the global crusade has been hosted in the Lagos environment, since its debut in Abuja in 2021.

” GCK ship has docked in virtually all the subregions of Nigeria as well as other countries such as Togo, Ghana, Cameroon, Zambia and, just in November,  India.

” The December GCK coincides with and will run concurrently with the Deeper Life Global December Retreat with the theme: ‘Emmanuel’ (God with us).

” The joint event is coming at a time when the country, and indeed the whole world, is experiencing very challenging times and is in dire need of divine presence and intervention even as the end of the present world system approaches,” he said.

He said  the session has always been a collaborative effort of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and all its blocs.

He noted that the programme would feature three events – the Crusade, Ministers and Professionals Conference and the Impact Academy for youths.

He said that, because of other activities Gospel ministers were involved in during this period of the year, the programme would be done without the Ministers Conference.

However, according to him, the Youth Impact is still embedded in the programme and will feature on the morning of Dec. 26.

He added that Kumuyi,  the convener,  would minister throughout the six-day crusade along with the Gospel music minister, Cole Hastie and other anointed servants of God.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng,)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Naomi Sharang

The Presiding Bishop of Dominion Chapel International Church, Abuja, Archbishop John Praise has called for national revival among citizens toward tackling the security challenges facing the country.

Praise, who is also the National Deputy President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) made the call in Abuja at the unveiling of a book “Timeless Flame” at a forum on Nigeria-Benue Revival.

The book was written by Pastor Gift Lemuels of Cloud Global Revival Ministry.

Praise, also the Chairman of the Northern Coalition of Bishops and Apostles, said the book dwells on the writer’s life history and the divine assignment God has given her.

“We need to preach the gospel. The author is endowed enough to take the message of revival to Benue, not just to Benue but to the Middle Belt region of the country and the entire nations of the world.

“We need a revival that will touch far and wide; a revival that will affect nations. One person cannot do it alone. We need partnership,” he observed.

While describing Benue as very strategic in the affairs of Nigeria, Praise urged the Federal Government to give more attention to tackling the security challenges in the state.

“I appeal to the Federal Government to give the needed attention to the Middle Belt.

“The people will have enough food to eat and enough food to sell to be able to take care of their basic needs if the security challenge is tackled.

“Things are hard now because bandits have stopped people from going to the farm.

“Insecurity in Benue has to be addressed. Banditry, farmers-herdsmen conflict – all these have to come to an end so that we will have food,” he said.

Rev. Thomas Achwande of Truth Aflame Gospel Ministry International Logo, Benue said the unveiling of the book was timely, noting that some of the stories in the book came as a result of the revelations the writer received from God and carrying out the instructions.

“Anyone who reads it will catch the `revival fire’ we have long been talking about in Benue.

“There is serious insecurity in Benue. We will continue to preach to the people because that’s the only weapon that can nip the menace in the bud.

“If the government wants to do anything to end it, it should partner with faith-based organisations, especially the ministers of the gospel.

“So if the government wants to do something on this decisively, the government should be ready to cooperate with pastors, reverends

“We believe that doing so will go a long way toward curbing insecurity in the area.”

Similarly, Bishop Jonathan Akuse said that Benue holds a very important place in the life of Nigeria.

“God spoke to us because of our not rising to the need of revival. A lot that is going on in the country that shouldn’t have gone on is because we have not arisen.

“The time has come for us to be up and doing by taking the gospel to every nook and corner, not only Benue state,” he said.

For Pastor Clement Josiah of Eudokia Apostolic Missions, Benue is endowed with many natural resources which when harnessed would help tackle poverty and unemployment in the state.

On her part, the author, Pastor Lemuels said that she was called to tour the 23 Local Government Areas of Benue with the gospel of revival.

She said that the book was a piece on revival adding that “no one reads and remains the same. I had encounters upon encounters and I felt those encounters should be documented.” (NAN

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

By Uchenna Eletuo

The Diocese of Lagos Anglican Communion, on Friday inducted and installed the Venerable Babatunde Adeleke-Oduwole as the Vicar, Church of the Resurrection, and Archdeacon of Victoria Island Archdeaconry in Lagos.

The event, which began with a procession by the clergy, spiced up with melodious hymns, was carried out before faithful at the Church of the Resurrection, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island Lagos.

Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Rt. Rev. Ifedola Gabriel-Okupevi, presiding over the ceremony, enjoined the new vicar to work toward the advancement of the Church and the faithful.

He charged him to take the Church and the Gospel message to higher levels, praying for God’s direction in the new assignment.

The Bishop blessed the new Vicar, anointed him with fresh oil, and handed him the key to the cathedral to oversee its running.

He prayed to God to keep him on track, and make soar higher in his vocation.

Adeleke-Oduwole, in return, thanked the Church for finding him worthy to serve at the new level.

He thanked his former Church, Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, and the his new station, the Church of Resurrection, for their support.

The new Vicar, who the took an oath of allegiance to the Church and God, promised to rekindle evangelism in his new place of assignment.

The Church prayed for peace in Nigeria and the world.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

By Justina Auta

Dr Femi Lanre-Oke, the Presiding Pastor, Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International (JPEMI), on Sunday called on leaders globally, to promote peace, security and address challenges causing disunity and war affecting citizens.

Lanre-Oke made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the church’s fifth annual convention, themed “Greater Works”, held in Abuja.

According to him, imbibing the virtues of Jesus will aide in addressing the challenges affecting the global world, especially in relation to love, peace and reconciliation .

He noted that insecurity was not only prevalent in Nigeria, adding that the current armed conflict between Israel and Hamas was an avenue for leaders to strategise towards reconciliation.

“We are concerned. Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be called the children of God. We love peace and we want them to reconcile and we are praying that God will intervene.

“We pray that God touches those who need to take decisions so that they will know what to do and how to do it,” he said.

While emphasising on the need to love and forgive, the cleric admonished Christians and others to unite towards tackling issues of insecurity and kidnapping, among others, in Nigeria.

“By the time we come into the greater works of Jesus, there will be relative peace, insecurity, kidnapping will reduce.

“We cannot say everything will go, but it will reduce drastically and development will be very visible.

“We will love our neighbours, bring solutions to our neighbours and destroy the works of darkness,” he said.

He added that the conference was an opportunity for the word of God to be fulfilled and manifested in the lives of people, as many prayers and miracles were experienced. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Usman Aliyu

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has allocated 412 slots to Edo for the 2024 Hajj.

Sheik Ibrahim Oyarekhua, Chairman, Edo Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen on Wednesday in Benin.

“In 2023, 432 slots were allocated to the state in the recently concluded exercise, and with the allocation for 2024, the slot has reduced by 20,” he said.

Oyarekhua said that the slots might be increased when the state exhausts the slots given to it on or before the deadline.

“NAHCON has announced N4.5 million as deposit for the 2024 Hajj  before the actual full payment is announced on or before the Ramadan fast in 2024,” he said.

He said that intending pilgrims in the state had commenced depositing money, adding that while some have made part payment, others have paid the full amount announced by NAHCON.

The chairman described the response from intending pilgrims in the state so far as very encouraging.

“Intending pilgrims can make payment through bank transfer or pay cash to the board or any of the designated banks.

“Thereafter, the board will issue prospective pilgrim receipt on the exact amount paid, whether full or part payment,” he explained.

He urged Muslims faithful who have the intention to perform the 2024 Hajj to start making deposits to enable them beat the deadline of Feb. 28, given by NAHCON.

Oyarekhua encouraged intending pilgrims to make early payment as everything about the Hajj operation, would end 50 days before the commencement of Hajj to allow for a hitch free exercise. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Joseph Edeh