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Catholic Bishops Reject Pope’s Position On Same-Sex Marriage

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The Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have rejected the position of Pope Francis on the blessing of same-sex couples.

The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, made this known while delivering his speech at the formal opening of the 2024 First Plenary Assembly of the CBCN on Sunday in Abuja.

The bishops said the position of the Pope could be translated as an endorsement of same-sex marriage by the Catholic Church, adding that the declarations from the Holy See should expectedly foster unity and communion on matters of doctrine, morals and liturgy.

According to the bishops, the stance of Pope Francis has hurt the unity and catholicity of the Church.

He said: “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.

“While the document prohibits liturgical blessings for same-sex couples, it recommends at the same time spontaneous pastoral blessings for couples in irregular situations, including the blessing of same-sex couples.

“It further stressed that such pastoral blessings should not be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them, nor can it be performed with any clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding.

“Given the ambiguities in the Declaration, the document quickly aroused mixed reactions of acceptance, sceptical reserve and outright rejection from Episcopal Conferences and individual Bishops across the world.

Ugorji noted that with the media hype that ambushed the text, its publication generated shock, outrage and disbelief among the faithful in Nigeria as elsewhere in Africa and other parts of the world.

He asserted that many devout Catholics in the communities wondered how a Priest could bless same-sex couples who live permanently in a sinful union without causing confusion and scandal.

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 our 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.

“Homosexual acts are of grave depravity which are 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.

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“APC doesn’t have capacity to solve Nigerian problems” – El-Rufai talks tough

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Immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed reservations over the capacity of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to tackle the challenges confronting the country.

El-Rufai, who is a founding member of the APC, stated this during a conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.

The conference was organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development [Centre LS], the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, WFD, the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, PAACA, and the National Peace Committee, NPC.

He said: “I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ of the APC has met for the past two years. No caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it is a zero-man show,” he added.

He recalled that the original goal of forming the APC was to build a progressive party focused on fighting corruption, revamping the economy, and restoring security.

He, however, said these objectives have been abandoned.

“The problems are still there. However, I no longer believe that my party believes in confronting those problems.

“So, the distance between me and APC is widening, but I remain where I am because these problems remain the living problems of Nigerians, and they have to be addressed, and the only way to address them is through the instrumentality of the political parties,” he added.

On the states of opposition parties, the former governor said, “The way and manner opposition political parties are being targeted for destruction and the style and quality of governance in this country today is a national emergency. It should concern everyone.

“And I think this is a problem for all of us to think about and play a role in changing it because, as His Excellency [Atiku] said, we stand the risk of losing democracy itself.”
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“Your blessings will reduce if you collect money from pastors” – Pastor David Ibiyeomie (Video)

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David Ibiyeomie

The general overseer of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has cautioned his congregation, advising them against accepting money from senior pastors so as not to reduce their blessings.

In a video making the rounds online, Ibiyeomie stated that this practice is not supported by scripture and can hinder one’s financial prosperity.

Addressing his church members, Ibiyeomie emphasized the importance of giving to senior pastors rather than receiving from them. He stated that giving financially to senior ministers can bring divine blessings and unlock greater prosperity.

David Ibiyeomie said, “May I tell you one raw truth? It may be hard, but never collect money from a senior man of God. You are reducing your blessing.”

Pastor Ibiyeomie shared from his personal experience, stating that he has never sought financial assistance from his spiritual mentor, Bishop David Oyedepo, even during difficult times.

Pastor Ibiyeomie

He said, “I’ll be the last person to collect a dime from Oyedepo, not because challenges have not come. That’s not how it works.”

“There are senior men to me today, and I can sow into their lives. But I will not go and say, ‘Pastor Femi, can you please help me?’ It’s not scriptural. Don’t collect money from a senior man; you are reducing your prosperity. Sow into the senior man to draw virtue for the next level.”

Watch the video below:

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Man Stabs Girlfriend To Death In Lagos

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The Lagos State police have arrested a 47-year-old man, identified as Emmanuel Chukwuma, for stabbing his 45-year-old girlfriend, Bosede Adefehinti, to death on 7th Avenue, Festac.

Naija Latest Gist learnt that the suspect, popularly known as Oliver on the street, and the deceased have been living together as boyfriend and girlfriend.

An eyewitness who spoke to Vanguard said it was not the first time the lovers had issues, adding that an inferiority complex on the part of the man had caused the fight.

He said, “Yesterday around 2:30 pm, Oliver stabbed his girlfriend, and after stabbing her, he tried to kill himself by jumping into the well, but we stopped him and called the police.

“They are not married, and this is not the first time they have had issues, but yesterday’s was beyond anything before.

“What I believe caused the fight was an inferiority complex on the man’s part because he has no job and helps his girlfriend sell herbal medicines, popularly known as Agbo—a concoction prepared from a variety of herbs.

“So most times, when he’s selling, the girlfriend leaves the shop while he remains there, sometimes receiving banter from the customers.”

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the suspect has been arrested, and the case file will be transferred to the Homicide section, Panti.

He said, “At about 3:10 pm, a distress call was received that one Emmanuel Chukwuma, aged 47 years, stabbed his girlfriend, Bosede Adefehinti, aged 45 years, to death.

“Immediately, detectives and a patrol team visited the scene of the crime. The suspect was arrested from the well where he hid.

“Photographs were taken while waiting for Lagos State health staff for the possible evacuation of the corpse to the mortuary.

“Meanwhile, the case file will be transferred to the Homicide section, Panti.”

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