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Again, Nigerian bishops disagree with Pope Francis on blessing same-sex couples

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Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have reiterated their disapproval with the position of Pope Francis on the blessing of same-sex couples.

As part of reforms to make the Catholic Church more welcoming to all persons, Pope Francis permitted priests to look kindly on queer couples seeking favours from God.

The Vatican, however, clarified that “such blessings should not be conducted with any church rites that offer the impression of a marriage”.

However, many of the Pope’s flocks, mostly African bishops, kicked against his directive.

In a speech on Sunday, Lucius Ugorji, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), said declarations from the Holy See should encourage unity and communion on matters of doctrine, morals and liturgy as opposed to what the Fiducia Supplicans did.

Ugorji spoke at the formal opening of the 2024 first plenary assembly of the CBCN at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

According to the reverend father, the Fiducia Supplicans hurt the unity and catholicity of the Church.

“We must sincerely admit that the declaration, Fiducia Supplicans (on the pastoral meaning of blessings), issued on 18th December, 2023, by the dicastery for the doctrine of the faith, has added to our pains,” Ugorji said.

“In the midst of this confusion and pushback, we must, as pastors with the pastoral task of safeguarding the deposit of faith in its purity and integrity, uphold the teaching of the church based on Holy Scripture and tradition.

“We shouldn’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by renewing your minds, so we may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

“We must continue to teach our faithful that there is no possibility of blessing same-sex couples or same-sex unions in the church in Africa.”

Ugorji described homosexual acts as “intrinsically disordered and, above all, contrary to natural law”.

“In furtherance of our pastoral and prophetic mission, we must also continue to stress that God loves the sinner unconditionally and calls him to repentance so that he might live,” he added.

Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, said synodality — which entails holding open discussions at all levels in the church for future decisions — “resonates with our African culture because we always do things together as a family and we consult the members of the family to take collective decisions, based on the African principle”.

“We have a duty to listen to the rest of the universal church, just as our African culture, ethics and morality have much to offer to our universal family, the Church,” Kaigama added.

In an interview last month, the pope said Africans are a special case when it comes to accepting queer couples because of their culture, adding that they would eventually come around.

Francis also said he was not concerned about a split in the church over the development, saying “you have to let them go and pass… and look ahead”.

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Religion

“You will end in destruction” – Bishop Oyedepo issues warning to Yahoo Boys

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May 1, 2024 10:32 am

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Nigerian clergyman and founder of Living Faith Church otherwise known as Winners Chapel, has issued a warning to Yahoo boys.

The popular clergyman, during a sermon on Sunday, April 28th, said that internet fraudsters, who are famously known as Yahoo boys, are living in a very fast lane which would end in bitterness and destruction.

He stated that nobody playing games has a future in the Kingdom as he admonished them to desist from it. He noted how there is a law to mind which is the law of sowing and reaping, the law of seedtime and harvest, and the law of giving and receiving.

Bishop Oyedepo in his final message told them to engage in the law cheerfully and should watch how they will begin to lay up gold with time.

He said: “Nobody playing games has a future in the kingdom. Hear this and hear it forever. If that is your trade, stop it.

Yahoo Yahoo business, stop it. Grabbing people’s ATM card details, stop it! You are on a very fast lane that always ends in bitterness and d£§truction.

There is the law to mind. The law of sowing and reaping. The law of seedtime and harvest. The law of giving and receiving that is the law.

Engage with that law cheerfully. Engage with that law willingly. Engage with that law tirelessly and watch how you begin to lay up gold with time.”

Sometimes back, Bishop David Oyedepo had made headlines when he banned earphones and others in his church, describing them as devil’s tools.

According to Man of God, youths with earphones are not ready to hear God’s words, hence they should not be allowed into the church.

He had also warned married couples on the dangers of not having a good sex life. He averred that a sex-starved marriage is heading for destruction.

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Drama as pastor Paul Enenche confronts lady for sharing fake testimony (Video)

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2 weeks ago

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April 15, 2024 12:33 pm

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Paul Enenche, the senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), on Sunday, called out a woman for sharing what he claimed to be a “false testimony”.

A short video from the DIGC’s service went viral on social media wherein he confronted the woman during her testimony.

The lady had taken to the altar to testify how she became the first graduate in her family. She also thanked God for making it possible for her to graduate with a “Law degree from the National Open University Of Nigeria (NOUN)”.

She recounted how some spiritual forces prevented her and her siblings from attending universities and how she overcame them.

Enenche, however, asked the lady what degree she graduated with and she said “Law”. The clergyman thereafter inquired to know what kind of “Law degree”, to which the lady answered “BSc in Law”.

The cleric immediately pointed out that there is no such thing as a “BSc in law” — casting doubt on her testimony.

“Your testimony is a lie. There is nothing like a BSc in Law. Please go back to your seat. Bsc in Law. Is that how lawyers speak English?” the cleric asked rhetorically.

“Please, anybody who comes to this altar to share a testimony that is not true, you do it at the risk of yourself.

“We are not playing here. We are not faking anything here.”

The video has been widely circulated on social media platforms, with users airing their different opinions.

NOUN held its 13th convocation on Saturday. The convocation ceremony saw 22,175 students graduate across NOUN’s 120 study centres in Nigeria.

Of the graduates, 15,768 received their undergraduate degrees, while 6,407 were awarded postgraduate certificates.

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FG approves Thursday as additional public holiday for Eid-el-Fitr

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3 weeks ago

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April 9, 2024 8:34 am

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The federal government has approved Thursday April 11 as an additional public holiday for this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

Aishetu Ndayako, permanent secretary in the ministry of interior, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

On April 7, the federal government had declared Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays for the Muslim celebration.

Shortly afterwards however, Muhammad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, declared Wednesday as the first day of Shawwal 1445AH, adding that there was no sighting of the new moon on Monday.

In the new statement, Ndayako quoted Tunji Ojo, minister of interior, as congratulating the “Muslim Ummah for a successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation”, while “reiterating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (GCFR) firm commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive”.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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