TheNewsGuru

Tag: Catholic Church

  • JUST IN: 2 Rev Fathers kidnapped in Uromi, 7 days after killing of Fr Odia in Edo

    JUST IN: 2 Rev Fathers kidnapped in Uromi, 7 days after killing of Fr Odia in Edo

    Barely a week after Father Christopher Odia was killed, two Catholic Priests, Rev. Father Udo of St Patrick’s Catholic church Uromi and Rev. Father Philemon Oboh of St Joseph retreat center Ugboha both in Edo have been kidnapped.

    They were abducted on Saturday on the Benin-Auchi road while travelling to Uromi in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

    The incident has reportedly thrown the hierarchy of the churches into a panic mode over the safety of clergymen.

    It could not be confirmed as of report time whether the gunmen or kidnappers had established contact with the Churches where the kidnapped clergymen worship.

    About a week ago, a Catholic priest popularly known as Rev. Father Christopher Odia was Kidnapped at Ikabigbo community, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State and was later found after few hours in the bush, allegedly shot dead by one of the abductors who had in their trails scores of angry youths in hot rescue pursuit.

  • BREAKING: Edo Catholic priest, Father Odia killed by abductors

    Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, Catholic priest in Edo State, who was kidnapped early Sunday morning on his way to celebrate Mass has been killed by his abductors.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Rev. Fr. Peter Egielewa, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi made this known in a statement on Sunday evening.

    Father Odia was the Administrator of St Micheal Catholic Church, Ikabigho until his death.

    “With heavy hearts, but with total submission to the will of God, we announce the death of our priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Odia, who was killed by his abductors, after being kidnapped on June 26, 2022 at about 6.30am in his rectory, while coming out to go for Sunday Mass at St. Michael Catholic Church, Ikabigbo, Uzairue, Edo State.

    “Until his death, Rev. Fr. Odia was the Administrator of St. Michael Catholic Church, Ikabigbo, and also the Principal of St. Philip Catholic Secondary School, Jattu. He was aged 41.  May his soul rest in peace,” Egielewa stated.

    The director of social communications also stated that burial arrangements would later be announced by the Catholic Diocese.

  • JUST IN: Suspected terrorists murder another Catholic priest, Fr. Borogo in Kaduna

    JUST IN: Suspected terrorists murder another Catholic priest, Fr. Borogo in Kaduna

    Suspected terrorists have killed another Catholic priest, Rev Fr. Vitus Borogo, in Kaduna State.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the incident was said to have happened at Prison Farm, Kujama, along Kaduna-Kachia Road, after a raid on the farm.

    A statement by Rev Fr Christian Emmanuel of Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, said the deceased was 50 years-old.

    The statement reads:”It is with a heavy heart, but with total submission to the will of God that we announce the death of Rev. Fr. Vitus Borogo, which sad event took place today (Saturday) at Prison Farm, Kujama, along Kaduna-Kachia Road, after a raid on the farm by terrorists. Until his death, Fr Vitus (aged 50) was the Chaplain of the Catholic Community of the Kaduna State Polytechnic, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Kaduna Chapter.

    “Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna condoles with the immediate family, the NFCS Family of Kaduna Polytechnic, and indeed the entire Kaduna Polytechnic Community; and assures them of his fraternal closeness and prayers.

    “Details of his funeral arrangement will be announced as soon possible.

    ‘Meanwhile we commit his soul to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and call on all men and women of goodwill to continue to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for the consolation of his bereaved family, especially his mother”.

  • JUST IN: Suspects in connection with Owo church attack arrested

    Operatives of Amotekun Corps in Ondo State have arrested some suspects in connection with the June 5 massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

    The assailants left 40 persons dead and about 60 others injured in the attack.

    “We have recovered the last vehicle they used in the operation and we have made some arrests. We have recovered some vital things which we are working on.

    “We are not stopping until we get to the root of this and I assure that the perpetrators and their sponsors will be brought to book,’’ state commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye said.

    He made the declaration while parading 71 suspected criminals before newsmen in Akure on Thursday.

    He said the 71 suspects were arrested within the month for cattle rustling, armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, human trafficking and theft of commercial motorcycles.

    Adeleye said the corps already recovered 31 stolen motorcycles.

  • Bandits attack Kaduna churches, kill worshippers, injure others

    Bandits attack Kaduna churches, kill worshippers, injure others

    The Kaduna State Government (KDSG), on Sunday, confirmed that bandits attacked worshippers, killing three persons and injuring two others in Kajuru Local Government Area in the state.

    The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Kaduna.

    Aruwan said, “On a sad note, security agencies have reported to the Kaduna state government that bandits attacked worshippers and locals at Ungwan Fada, Ungwan Turawa and Ungwan Makama in Rubu general area of Kajuru local government area.

    According to the report, the bandits stormed the villages on motorcycles, beginning from Ungwan Fada, and moving into Ungwan Turawa, before Ungwan Makama and then Rubu.

    He explained that in Rubu village, the bandits attacked worshippers in the Maranatha Baptist Church and St. Moses Catholic Church.

    “Three locals have been confirmed killed in the attacks, and two persons were left injured – one of them a man and a yet-to-be identified woman.

    “An unspecified number of other locals were also kidnapped,” according to reports.

    “The bandits looted shops and carted away some valuables from the villages,” he said.

    Aruwan said, the Acting Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, expressed deep sadness, and condemned the attack in the strongest terms.

    She sent her sincere condolences to the families of the deceased victims, as she prayed for the repose of their souls.

    He said the Acting Governor also commiserated with the attacked churches, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

    “Security patrols are being conducted in the general area as investigations proceed,” Aruwan said.

    When contacted, the Kaduna Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammad Jalige, also confirmed the incident, saying the attack happened on Sunday while worshippers are in church.

  • MBAKA’S PROTEST: Police barricades entrances of Enugu Catholic cathedral, residence of Bishop

    Police officers have taken over the entrances of Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu and the residence of Bishop Callistus Onaga at Independence Layout, Enugu over protest by supporters of Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka.

     

    The protest followed the ban on Catholic faithful from worshipping at the Adoration Ministry of Mbaka in Enugu. State.

     

    It was gathered that the deployment of security operatives to the two premises was to avoid a repeat of last year’s incidents.

    Police

     

    Hundreds of the followers of Fr Mbaka last year stormed the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu and destroyed valuables worth millions.

     

    They were protesting the sudden disappearance of their Spiritual Director, who was allegedly invited to the Cathedral by the operatives of the Department of State Services(DSS).

    Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that three patrol vans, fully loaded with police operatives, barricaded the two entrances to the street of the Bishop’s home at Independence Layout, Enugu.

     

    At the Old Market Road, Enugu where Holy Ghost Cathedral is situated, security operatives were stationed at various entrances to the church.

     

    An anonymous source noted that the security operatives were at the venue to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

     

    “Didn’t you hear about these Church people and their wahala? That’s why we’re here to prevent any problem,” the source said.

     

    Members of Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry on Sunday trooped to the streets of Umuchigbo to protest the ban on the Adoration Ministry Enugu, headed by the priest.

     

    The Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Most. Rev. Callistus Onaga on Saturday banned all priests and Catholic faithful from attending Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry, following the priest’s scathing remarks on Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

     

    Mbaka on Wednesday at his Adoration ground said Obi would never be the President because he is a stingy man, adding that the politician is cursed.

     

    The Priest’s remarks drew heavy criticisms from various quarters, prompting the under-fire priest to backtrack and apologise for maligning Obi and injuring his supporters.

  • Insecurity: Gunmen attack Kaduna Catholic church, kill three, few injured

    Report reaching NewsGuru.com has it that  St. Moses Catholic Church located in  Robuh, Ungwan Aku in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State was  on Sunday morning attacked by unknown gunmen while the first mass of the day was about ending.

    Findings show that three worshippers were killed while few others were kidnapped by the unknown gunmen.

    One of the victims of the attack,  was taken  to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kaduna for medical attention.

    It was gathered that the gunmen came to the church in their large numbers and started shooting sporadically at the worshippers.

    Meanwhile, the injured worshippers  who sustained various degrees  of injuries have all  been taken to the hospital in Kaduna  for treatment.

    More updates later…..

     

  • Peter Obi: Members of Fr Mbaka’s ministry protest, demand removal of Bishop

    Peter Obi: Members of Fr Mbaka’s ministry protest, demand removal of Bishop

    Members of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), owned by Father Ejike Mbaka have demanded the removal of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Bishop Callistus Onaga.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the members stormed the ministry’s ground in protest on Sunday, after the Diocese barred Catholics from worshipping at AMEN, following recent public utterances of Father Mbaka.

    During the protest, some worshippers who went to the ministry in Enugu, some of the members who are fervent supporters of Mbaka were seen carrying tree leaves and branches chanting, “Onaga Must Go,” and “No More Onaga”.

    Recall that Onaga had banned Catholics including the clergy from attending Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry over his recent utterances in the ministry.

    Onaga banned them from having anything to do with the Adoration Ministry.

    A letter to the effect reads: “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. Ejike Mbaka, the Chaplain of the Ministry.

    “Having given him pastoral directives and guidelines for the Ministry Chaplaincy, which he persistently violated.

    “In 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.

    “My decision is based on the fact that some of the teachings and utterances of Fr. Mbaka at the Catholic Adoration Ministry are not consistent with the teachings and faith of the Catholic Church”.

    He, however, enjoined “all Christian faithful to keep praying for Fr. Mbaka.”

    This came barely hours after Mbaka had apologised to Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party for 2023 general election.

    Recall that the priest had during one of adoration programme few days ago declared that Obi, who he described as “a stingy man”, would never rule Nigeria.

    He had said that until Obi came and knelt before the adoration alter that his presidential ambitions would be in vain.

    The outburst did not go down well with many Nigerians especially the youths who had fallen in love Obi’s candidature as they recommended appropriate sanctions be given to him.

    Mbaka’s comment had set social media on fire as many had condemned it.

    Recalled that this was not the first time Fr. Mbaka is facing sanctions from the Enugu Catholic Diocese over political comments.

    The Diocesan authority had last year, after placing his activities on hold for a month, also converted the adoration ministry to chaplaincy and he was then asked to keep off politics.

    But Mbaka who always speaks on issues during his programmes on adoration ground had reacted the no to the changes that no one would stop him from speaking.

    “Those who think Mbaka will be quiet, you are wasting your time,” he had said last year in reaction to the ban placed on him from commenting on political activities,” he had said.

     

  • Fr.Mbaka bows to Bishop’s order, closes down Adoration ministry

    Fiery Enugu Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has bowed to  superior order of the Bishop of the Diocese banning his Adoration Ministry.

    The vociferous cleric has agreed to close down his Adoration ministries until further notice.

    TheNewsGuru.com  reports  that Fr.Mbaka is being chastised by superiors at Catholic church over his utterances against Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

    Meanwhile, Mbaka has now issued a statement to his followers, informing them that programmes would no longer hold in the Ministry.

    The statement posted on the official Facebook page of the Ministry reads:

    “Dear Adorers, There will be no program starting from tomorrow being 19th June 2022 at Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria Amen, Umuchigbo Emene, Enugu State.

    “Sunday Mass, Wednesday (E No Dey) And Night Programs will not hold till further notice.

    “God bless Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria Amen and God Bless Our Spiritual Director, Rev Fr, Ejike Mbaka.

    “Keep praying for Our Daddy and may God Bless you all.”

  • Peter Obi: Catholic diocese shuts down Fr Mbaka’s ministry

    Peter Obi: Catholic diocese shuts down Fr Mbaka’s ministry

    The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Calistus Onaga has banned Catholics including the clergy from attending Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry over his recent utterances in the ministry.

    This is contained in a letter personally signed by the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Callistus Onaga and addressed to ‘All the Clery, Religious and Lay Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu’ on Saturday in Enugu.

    Onaga banned them from having anything to do with the Adoration Ministry.

    The letter said, “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. Ejike Mbaka, the Chaplain of the Ministry.

    “Having given him pastoral directives and guidelines for the Ministry Chaplaincy, which he persistently violated.

    “In 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.

    “My decision is based on the fact that some of the teachings and utterances of Fr. Mbaka at the Catholic Adoration Ministry are not consistent with the teachings and faith of the Catholic Church,” Onaga said.

    He, however, enjoined “all Christian faithful to keep praying for Fr. Mbaka.”

    This is coming barely hours after Mbaka had apologised to Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party for 2023 general election.

    Recall that the priest had during one of adoration programme few days ago declared that Obi, who he described as “a stingy man”, would never rule Nigeria.

    He had said that until Obi came and knelt before the adoration alter that his presidential ambitions would be in vain.

    The outburst did not go down well with many Nigerians especially the youths who had fallen in love Obi’s candidature as they recommended appropriate sanctions be given to him.

    Mbaka’s comment had set social media on fire as many had condemned it.

    Recalled that this was not the first time Fr. Mbaka is facing sanctions from the Enugu Catholic Diocese over political comments.

    The Diocesan authority had last year, after placing his activities on hold for a month, also converted the adoration ministry to chaplaincy and he was then asked to keep off politics.

    But Mbaka who always speaks on issues during his programmes on adoration ground had reacted the no to the changes that no one would stop him from speaking.

    “Those who think Mbaka will be quiet, you are wasting your time,” he had said last year in reaction to the ban placed on him from commenting on political activities,” he said.