Religion
Enugu Catholic diocese shuts down Mbaka’s adoration ministry
The Catholic diocese of Enugu has barred all clergy and the faithful from attending any religious activity at the Adoration Ministries, Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN).
Ejike Mbaka, spiritual director of AMEN, had sparked controversy early this week when he described Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), as “stingy”, asking his followers not to vote for him in the 2023 presidential election.
Mbaka’s comment had elicited widespread criticism from many Nigerians and the Enugu Catholic diocese. The diocese had said Mbaka’s comments were a “clear violation” of the provisions of the canon law “which forbids priests from engaging in partisan politics”.
But on Wednesday, Mbaka apologised and asked for forgiveness from Obi’s supporters, saying he was misunderstood.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Callistus Onaga, bishop of the diocese, asked all “clergy, religious and lay faithful” to desist from attending “all religious and liturgical activities” of AMEN “until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese is concluded”.
The bishop added that Mbaka has “persistently” violated the teachings of the Catholic church.
“In the light of the happenings in the Catholic Adoration Ministry Chaplaincy Enugu capable of undermining the Catholic faith and teachings; and after several fraternal corrections and admonitions to Fr. Camillus Ejike Mbaka, the Chaplain of the Ministry Chaplaincy, which he persistently violated; and in the fulfilment of my pastoral duties as the Chief Shepherd with the obligation to promote and safeguard the Catholic faith and morals in Enugu Diocese, I hereby prohibit all Catholics (clergy, religious and lay faithful) henceforth from attending all religious and liturgical activities of the Catholic Adoration Ministry until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese is concluded,” the statement reads.
“My decision is based on the fact that some of the teachings and utterances of Fr. Camillus Ejike Mbaka at the Catholic Adoration Ministry are not consistent with the teachings and faith of the Catholic Church.”
“I enjoin all the Christian faithful to keep praying for Fr. Mbaka and the Catholic Diocese of Enugu as I entrust him and the Diocese to the maternal care and protection of the blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles.”
Religion
Ghana church honours 20 girls for preserving virginity
The Wenchi West District of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in the Bono Region of Ghana has recognised 20 girls, aged 13 to 16, for preserving their virginity.
During a thanksgiving service held over the weekend on the sidelines of the church’s observation of the first Sabbath of the year, the girls were each rewarded with undisclosed sums of money for their dedication and moral discipline.
The District Coordinator of the Young Adventist Women Ministries, Mrs. Nana Amponsah Poku, praised the girls for their commitment and encouraged them to continue preserving their purity until marriage.
“God created you uniquely beautiful and you must not allow anybody to lure and break your virginity until you marry,” she advised, adding a caution about choosing friends wisely in 2025.
Mrs. Poku emphasised the ministry’s commitment to shaping young women into responsible adults and called for a societal return to traditional customs that promote chastity, such as the ancient Bragoro and Dipo puberty rites.
She noted that these practices were effective in controlling teenage pregnancies and fostering the holistic development of young girls.
Associate Pastor of the Wenchi West District SDA Church, Pastor Andrews Dua Bour Kyere, also lauded the girls for their example, encouraging them to remain focused on their education and personal growth.
The honoured girls expressed gratitude for the church’s support, noting that the recognition motivates them to continue upholding the values instilled in them.
Religion
Islamic group makes U-turn, postpones Sharia court unveiling in Oyo
An Islamic group under the aegis of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, the Oyo State chapter has indefinitely postponed the inauguration of the Sharia court earlier scheduled to be held on January 11, 2025.
The group made this disclosure in a statement signed by the Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom, Imam Daud Igi Ogun, on Tuesday.
The statement read, “On behalf of the Oyo Muslim indigenes, this is to inform the general public that the inauguration ceremony of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch) previously scheduled for January 11th, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Center, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Agbongangan, Oyo, has been suspended until further notice. Islam portrays peace!”
Religion
Mixed reactions trail ‘Jesus Christ is not God’ banner displayed at Lekki central mosque
Netizens across social media platforms have begun to condemn a banner about Jesus Christ displayed at the gate of the Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos State.
The inscription on the banner which went viral on Wednesday read, “Jesus Christ is not God. He is a Prophet and Messenger of God!”
However, reactions have trailed the message, with some arguing that the motive behind it was blasphemy.
Some others, however, maintained that the message has been affirmed by pastors many times.
A Nigerian actress, Wumi Tuase, took to her X and expressed displeasure saying, “I don’t like to get into religious conversations but I found it very weird that Lekki Central Mosque has this in front of their gate.”
A user who tweeted with the handle #Fisayo Ojabodu wrote, “You don’t see the banner is disrespectful to other people’s religion. And is propagating foolish agenda.”
One user who identified with the handle #Adesuwa noted that this action is nothing but blasphemy.
Another user who identified as #FS Yusuf tweeted, “Christianity is actually a religion of peace.
“In the last two decades, my family church has been set on fire by Muslim extremists for ridiculous reasons such as religious extremism and Buhari losing his 2011 election.
“This is the reality for hundreds of churches and also innocent individuals accused of blasphemy. If this write-up was done by a Christian organisation, we won’t be here typing. Until we learn to uphold tolerance, we can’t make progress as a pluralistic society.”
One Silva Bella on X said, “It’s not about Christianity is a religion of peace or not … Jesus is not God. I have read the Bible a lot of time and it obvious but I can’t still get why people call Jesus God. He’s the son which means God is the father.”
“Jesus is God, Jesus is your King and Jesus will pass judgment on all. For judgment will only be fair through him that has walked in your flesh and felt your pain,” GeradTheGreat opined.
“We are so peaceful, and we will remain peaceful, we don’t fight for our God, He fights for himself,” Joycccc wrote on Meta.
Another user on X, Expope said, “The late Deborah they set on fire has not done up to this before they all joined hands to terminate her life.”
On X, another user identified as #ChristTheLighhouse opined, “We as Christians accept criticism, backlash, rejection, and even insults. Our Lord and saviour whom we believe and serve received more up to the point of death! He prayed for unbelievers and his persecutors and killers.
“The gospel of repentance and conversation into Christianity and acceptance of Jesus as ones personal Lord and Saviour is never by force, war, coercion or propaganda…it’s by the gentle acts of the Holy Spirit of God.That is the game changer. It’s a personal experience. Ask Saul (later Paul) of Tarsus!”
On the contrary, one Muhammad Shaikhan said, “The beauty of this drama between Christians and Muslims is that everyone of us knows that God is one. God is always a God. We can’t substitute God with anybody. The argument is all about the teaching of Jesus and that of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon them. So I don’t vex.”
Abdul’fattah Muhdl’awwal said, “Jesus himself never said he is God.
“You and the likes are the ones calling him God. Hence the quote in that banner is the fact and not blasphemous.”
One Olawale on Meta said, “The message on the banner is true.”
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