Torchlight News

‎"The world can be a better place for all of us, if we can, individually, overcome personal interests, so that we can focus on serving the common good. Only then can those living in war zones, who continue to suffer and endure deprivation, (will) once again begin to hope for life marked by dignity and safety." These are the words of the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on Saturday, August 16, in continuation of his five days state visit to Burundi, East-central Africa. ‎ ‎Cardinal Parolin is in Burundi to celebrate the Holy Mass of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, which coincided with the elevation of the Parish of Saint Anthony of Padua —located within the territory of the national Marian shrine of Mugera, part of the Archdiocese of Gitega—to the status of Minor Basilica, as well as to inaugurate a monument at the site where Papal's Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Courtney, was assassinated in December 2003. ‎  ...

  T he United States has strongly condemned the recent wave of brutal attacks on Christians in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa, calling the violence "horrific" and pledging to work with international partners to address the crisis. The condemnation follows a series of deadly attacks in recent times, including the massacre of 27 Christians in Bindi Ta-hoss, a community in Riyom LGA of Plateau State, by Islamist Fulani militants. Trump's led administration, through the White House and the State Department, has vowed to respond with decisive actions to end the senseless killings that seem to have no end. “The Trump administration condemns in the strongest terms this horrific violence against Christians,” the White House said. It emphasised that religious freedom is both a moral duty and a U.S. foreign policy priority. The State Department Spokesperson told newsmen that “The Department of State is working closely with the White House to identify opportunities to furt...

The 3rd Pan-African Catholic Congress on Theology, Society, and Pastoral Life, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, ended on Sunday, August 10, with a strong solidarity message from Pope Leo XIV, to the participants, urging them to give more attention to what he calls the "family of local Churches." His Holiness charged the participants and Church leaders at the Congress, which started on Tuesday, August 5, "to continue making the local Churches in their respective countries places where members feel loved and supported." In his recorded video, the Holy Father underlined the importance of building a network of support for Church members, especially on the continent that he admitted faces “its own set of particular difficulties.” “The family is usually the first place where we receive the love and support we need to move forward and overcome the trials we face in life,” Pope Leo XIV told participants, adding that,, “For this reason, I encourage you to keep building up the fami...

  The Lagos Provincial Teaching Ministry of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria on Saturday, August 9, assembled its ministers for a capacity building workshop, with the theme, "Awakening the Giants", at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ojota , Lagos. The well attended gathering was graced by the Lagos Provincial chairman of the CCRN, Bro. Fowode, who doubles as Assistant National Coordinator of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria.  In his goodwill message, Bro. Fowode praised the Provincial teachers for their unwavering commitment and diligence to the service of the Renewal in the Province and to the Church. "The Renewal is a gift to the Church," he said, "and the Church recognizes it,"  As key to successful ministry, he encouraged the teachers to sustain their good prayer life, maintain devotion to our Mother Mary, and ensure deep Eucharistic worship, as well as "taking good care of your health." On the forthcoming Provincial ...

The 3rd Pan-African Catholic Jubilee on Theology, Society, and Pastoral Life, which brings together the continent’s largest assembly of African Catholic theologians, pastors, lay leaders, and ecumenical partners is currently underway in Abidjan, the Ivorian Capital. The landmark gathering, which began August 5, with the theme, “Journeying Together in Hope as a Church Family of God in Africa,” focuses on sharing a common hope for the future of the Church and society in Africa among the participants. “This hope is built on the conviction that the different challenges and opportunities in Africa today offer the Church in Africa and God’s people the opportunity to act differently and courageously drawing from the gift of faith to change permanently the direction of history in Africa and break the cycle of suffering, and dependency through institutional resilience, practices and ethics that promote abundant life,” the Congress affirms. The Congress comes particularly at a crucial moment f...

"Shameless nation, come to your senses before you are driven away like chaff blown by the wind, before the burning anger of the Lord comes upon you, before the day when he shows his fury. Turn to the Lord, all you humble people of the land, who obey his commands. Do what is right, and humble yourselves before the Lord. Perhaps you will escape punishment on the day when the Lord shows his anger" Zephaniah 2:1-3. A call for repentance. Addressed to a 'shameless nation.' Who could that be? A nation of people persistent in evil and injustice. The consequence of wrongdoing is always dire. A forewarning is gratuitous, borne out of love and mercy. Righteousness exalts a nation (Prov. 14:34). Sin is not only a reproach, it brings about a sudden and catastrophic end! Is anybody listening? "Do what is right, and humble yourselves before the Lord." This is the escape route. Perhaps you will be counted among those to escape punishment on the day the Lord sho...

A dream can be delayed, but with determination and tenacity of purpose, it surely, one day, comes to fulfilment. Our darling publishing site, Torchlight has been off radar for over a year. It was a temporary hiatus, meant to serve restrategization, reformation and repackaging. We are almost through with what is cooking in the kitchen. Watch out for it. Sooner than later, it will be served to you deliciously. 

St. Leo's Catholic Church Ikeja Lagos is in a festive mood. She is celebrating the 50th anniversary of her existence. And with open arms, she is inviting all and sundry to the merriment.  This was made known to newsmen on Thursday, August 25, by the Vicar General, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos and Episcopal Vicar of Ikeja Region, Rt. Rev. Monsignor (Dr.) John Aniagwu. Torchlight News was there and reports. Aniagwu who is also the parish priest of St. Leo's Parish was represented at the media briefing by his Associate, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Omoroke, SMMM and other members of the Planning Committee. According to the Vicar, it was a success story for the parish with a very humble beginning, having started in a make-shift Assembly hall of the then Southern Police College, Ikeja.  Created in the month of September 1972 by the then Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. John Kwao Amuzu Aggey, he said, St. Leo's Catholic Church could be likened to the proverbial ...

"Consecration” means being set aside for a holy purpose.  Perhaps, you may or may not have heard of the concept of consecration before. A person or nation consecrated is set aside for a holy purpose.  Sometimes the word “entrustment” is used synonymously with consecration.  The Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship defines consecration to Mary as an overt recognition of the "singular role of Mary in the Mystery of Christ and of the Church, of the universal and exemplary importance of her witness to the Gospel, of trust in her intercession, and of the efficacy of her patronage." By consecrating oneself to Mary, one accepts her help in offering oneself fully to Christ. Pope St. John Paul II during his pontificate consecrated the entire Church and the world to Mary three times.  Consecration as an entrustment is an appeal to God, laying ourselves, our hearts, our prayers, our desires at the feet of Our Lady for our particular needs. Marian consecrations...

Pope Francis On Friday, March 25, Pope Francis, united with all the Bishops and Catholic faithful around the world,  will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation.   The Pope will pray the Act of Consecration around 6:30 PM, and has asked all Bishops and priests to join him spiritually in this prayer. Here below is the official translation of the Act of Consecration:          "O Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, in this time of trial we turn to you.  As our Mother, you love us and know us: no concern of our hearts is hidden from you.  Mother of mercy, how often we have experienced your watchful care and your peaceful presence!  You never cease to guide us to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.          "Yet we have strayed from that path of peace.  We have forgotten the lesson learned from the tragedies of the last century, the sacrifice of the millions who fel...

  Msgr. (Dr.) J. K. A Aniagwu All appears set for the unveiling and public presentation of a new book, a Memoir, written by Rt. Rev. Msgr. (Dr.) J. K. A Aniagwu, Vicar general Lagos Catholic Archdiocese and parish priest of St. Leo's Catholic Church Ikeja, Lagos.  This was disclosed to newsmen, penultimate Thursday, in a chat, by the cerebral priest himself, in his office.  The book is part of the highpoints of the celebration of his Golden jubilee priestly ordination. Msgr. John Aniagwu was ordained a priest on August 15, 1971 at the age of 27. He was born in Ijebu-Ode, Ondo state, Southwest Nigeria, on 15th March 1944.  A prolific writer, theologian, quintessential teacher, and seasoned administrator, "Fr. John," as he is fondly called by his teeming admirers and parishioners, was rector of Ss. Peter & Paul Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, for twelve years. He has been in active pastoral work as parish priest of St. Leo's Catholic Church Ikeja since 1995...

Reports by Pascal Chimezie His Grace, Alfred Adewale Martin, Archbishop of Lagos The Lagos Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Institute (LACCI), an academy initiative of the  Lagos Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria, on Sunday, May 30, held its first matriculation ceremony for its pioneer students.  It was inside the main hall of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Isolo. Very Rev. Monsignor Anthony Obanla, the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Lagos represented His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martin, the Archbishop of Lagos.  Also in attendance was the Chaplain of the Lagos Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Msgr. Paschal Nwaezeapu, amongst other dignitaries. A cross sections of the students The institute, according to Uche Anyanwu, chairman of Lagos Archdiocesan Service of Communion (LASC), an umbrella body of charismatics in Lagos Archdiocese, is to train members on discipleship, having intimate re...

By our Correspondent Where is the Paschal Candle of St. Brendan Catholic Church Amakohia Ikeduru, Imo state, Southeast Nigeria? Strange as this might sound, it has been the question agitating the mind of almost every parishioner of the Church. The Paschal Candle went missing about fortnight ago in a difficult-to-explain circumstance, and all efforts made to trace its whereabout, or who took it, have proved abortive. In reaction, the parish priest, Rev. Fr. (Capt.) Ishmael Iwuala, and his bewildered parishioners have resorted to prayers in order to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of the Candle.  Speaking to Torchlight News , one of the parishioners who did not want his name in print, said, "It is strange how the Candle got missing when none of the Church's doors or windows was broken into! Why will anybody steal the Candle, and for what purpose?", he asked.  The Church is, therefore, enlisting the prayer support of all well meaning individuals and ...

. ..Advises religious leaders to be cautious with their utterances The Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have called on the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari to be open to constructive criticism and to wake up to its constitutional obligation to protect life and property of Nigerians. Augustine Akubeze, CBCN President  In a statement titled " URGENT CALL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BE OPEN TO CRITICISM IN ADDRESSING THE PERVADING INSECURITY IN NIGERIA," released on Thursday, May 6 and signed by its National President and Archbishop of Benin City, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Akubeze, the Bishops advised religious leaders across faith, political and opinion leaders in  Nigeria to be cautious with their utterances in order not to imperil the country fragile democracy, even as it prayed that God should grant government actors the wisdom and courage to bring peace and justice to every Nigerian. Full text of the statement reads: "On behalf of the Catholic...

...An Easter Message By Matthew Hassan Kukah "If a religious leader is afraid to say what is right, what else can his silence mean but that he has taken flight? Hiding behind a wall of silence is like taking flight at the approach of the wolf."  - Pope St. Gregory the Great (540–604 AD) 1: Easter Sunday is here again. But first, let us step back to Friday. Good Friday was a Kairos moment for the beleaguered followers of Jesus, a defining moment that separated truth from falsehood and light from darkness. At Golgotha, Jesus remained silent when the first thief taunted Him, and when bystanders scornfully asked him to demonstrate His divine powers by coming down from the cross. Everything about Christ–the prophecies of His birth, His life on earth, the miracles He performed, the sermons He preached, His torture and subsequent death–now hung languidly on a wooden cross on the hill of Golgotha. There were two types of persons at Golgotha: observers and waiters. The ...