Connect with us

Religion

Philippines’ Catholics Pray Before Christ Statue for end of COVID-19 Pandemic

Published

on

Share

Thousands of Catholic devotees observed physical distancing as they queued for Saturday morning masses in the Philippine capital to celebrate a centuries-old black wooden statue of Jesus Christ believed to bring miracles to the faithful.

With the coronavirus pandemic afflicting the country, authorities cancelled an annual procession of the life-sized image of the “Black Nazarene”, the country’s largest religious event that draws millions of devotees in an annual ritual observed for 200 years.

Instead, church leaders organised 15 masses at Manila’s Quiapo church, which houses the life-sized statue and live-streamed the worship services, pleading for devotees not to flock into the basilica.

“I am not afraid to go here even with the risk of COVID-19 because I have faith in Jesus the Nazarene.

“Every year, every week I go to church,’’ Arjay Echon, 29, a supermarket employee and a devotee for seven years, told Reuters.

Echon, wearing face mask and shield while carrying a small replica of the “Black Nazarene”, said he is praying for the pandemic to end.

Police estimated a crowd of nearly 23,000 as of Saturday morning.

People in the queue, reminded by volunteers to practice one-metre (one-yard) physical distancing, were required to fill out contact tracing forms.

Inside the church, devotees were disinfected before receiving communion.

About 80 per cent of the country’s 108 million people identify as Roman Catholic, a legacy of hundreds of years as a Spanish colony.

“People were patiently in queue, waiting for their turn to get inside the church,’’ Father Douglas Badong, parochial vicar, told DZBB radio station.

In contrast, the cancelled annual procession of the statue depicting Jesus shouldering a heavy cross usually draws millions of devotees, many barefoot and jostling to get close and touch the image.

Two people were killed and more than 1,200 people suffered minor injuries in the dusk-to-dawn procession in 2016.

It is not known why the statue, which was carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the early 17th century, turned black.

With more than 483,000 cases and 9,300 deaths, the Philippines has the second-highest COVID-19 cases and casualties in Southeast Asia, behind Indonesia.

“My personal prayer is good health for my family…I pray for a better Philippines this 2021 and for COVID-19 to end,’’ Prubancio Sarasin, 56, a security guard and devotee for 15 years, told Reuters. (Reuters/NAN)

Religion

Palm Sunday: CAN President Tasks Leaders to Emulate the Humility of Christ 

Published

on

Share

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja 

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh on Sunday,  tasks leaders in Nigeria to always ensure they  emulate the virtue of unity and humility exemplified by Jesus Christ no matter the situation and ensure peaceful coexistence.

His Eminence stated this in his message to Christian faithfuls marking  the Palm Sunday, and made available to media in Abuja, he said in the midst of challenges ranging from insecurity, economic uncertainties amongst others, this period offers everyone a beacon of light and inspiration.

The  statement which His Eminence, personally signed, he said: “As we observe Palm Sunday, a day that holds profound significance in the Christian faith, I humbly extend my heartfelt greetings to all Nigerians.

This sacred day commemorates the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, a moment marked by jubilation, hope, and symbolism that transcends time.

“In the midst of our current realities in Nigeria, where we are confronted with a myriad of challenges ranging from social unrest to economic uncertainties and tensions, the essence of Palm Sunday offers us a beacon of light and inspiration.

“The image of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, instead of a war chariot or an exotic means of transportation, and being welcomed by crowds waving palm branches and laying their cloaks on the ground, serves as a poignant reminder of humility for our leaders and the power of peace and collective faith for all citizens.

“In reflecting on the lessons of Palm Sunday for contemporary Nigerian society, we are called to emulate the virtue of unity exemplified by Jesus Christ. Just as the people of Jerusalem set aside their differences to welcome the Prince of Peace, let us set aside our prejudices, grievances, and animosities to foster a spirit of harmony, reconciliation, and understanding among ourselves.

“At this critical juncture in our nation’s history, as we navigate through turbulent waters and strive towards a more prosperous and equitable society, let us draw strength from the enduring message of Palm Sunday. Let us remember that in times of adversity, faith can move mountains and bridge divides, and love can conquer all.

“Witnessing the unfolding events in our nation, let us heed the call to action embedded in the spirit of Palm Sunday. Let us be beacons of hope and agents of positive change in our communities, extending a hand of friendship to our neighbors, showing kindness to the marginalized, and upholding justice for the oppressed.

“As we embark on this journey of reflection and renewal during the holy season of Palm Sunday, may we be guided by the timeless teachings of Christ, and may we emerge as a stronger, more united Nigerian society, bound together by the common values of peace, justice, and solidarity. May the blessings of Palm Sunday be upon you and your families.”

Continue Reading

Religion

Ash Wednesday: Be Sensitive to Plight of Nigerians, Cleric to Political Office Holders 

Published

on

Share

Rev. Fr. Christian Oji, the Parish Priest, Holy Family Parish Ologo in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State, has appealed to political office holders to be sensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

Oji, who made the appeal in his Ash Wednesday sermon, advised politicians to use the lenten period to end the current economic hardship facing Nigerians.

The priest said that the political class appeared to be insensitive to the people’s sufferings, adding that the challenges facing the country were not natural but man-made.

“This is as a result of wrong policies, corruption, wickedness and insensitivity of many political office holders.

“I call on our leaders to have a rethink and come back to Christ, who is the giver of knowledge to seek wisdom to rule Nigeria.

“They should do everything humanly possible to change the face of Nigeria because people are really suffering, while the country is going down.

“Unless they take action now, something drastic may happen in future but we don’t pray for that.

“I call on them to rise and emulate Christ by making efforts to change Nigeria,” the clergyman said.

He also spoke on the meaning of the Ash Wednesday, being the beginning of Lent.

According to him, the event signifies that we are nothing but ash and ash we shall return.

“It is a period where churches all over the world come together to make preparations to undergo 40 days retreat bearing the cross with Christ.

“Ash Wednesday as the beginning of Lent, runs through 40 days before Easter, and today serves as the beginning of those 40 days of intensive retreat among Christians to reflect the passion of Christ.

“It signifies that we are nothing but dust and we are going back to dust, and it also makes us understand that apart from Christ we are nothing.

“Therefore, Christians are expected to engage in spiritual activities of fasting, praying, abstinence and alms giving,” Oji said.

He said that the message of Ash Wednesday and Lent was for humanity to give their lives to Christ.

“With the spate of insecurity, economic hardship, it is time that Christians came together to pray fervently for God to take control of this country.

“We should pray to God to intervene and deliver this country from going into self-destruction,” he said. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Religion

Christmas: CAN Youth Wing calls for Sober Reflection

Published

on

Share

The Youth Wing, Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), has called on Nigerians to use Christmas as a moment of sober reflection to redirect all thinking and actions towards nation building.

The Chairman of YOWICAN, Enugu State, Mr Chekwube Ani, made the call in a Christmas message made available to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday.

According to Ani, Christmas should not be a time of festivities alone.

It should be a moment of deep sober reflection.

He said: “We should take out time in this season to evaluate ourselves and the society to see how much we have appreciated and promoted the salvation work of God.

“The gift of Jesus, whom we celebrate His birth during Christmas, is for reconciliation and salvation of mankind.

“This gift of Jesus was borne out of love and is for all men, John 3:16. Therefore, let us take this season to reconcile with our maker and demonstrate love to one another as God did to us.

“As we celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ this year, let us be mindful of who we celebrate; what He represents and what He does.”

Ani also appreciated Gov. Peter Mbah, for the massive work done in security, health, education, agriculture, road construction, water project, tourism and other infrastructural works ongoing around the state.

He said: “We pray for Grace to sustain this great work. Also, we urge the people of Enugu State to support the government for more dividends of democracy.

“Congratulations to His Excellency, Peter Mbah, on his recent victory at the Supreme Court. Indeed, our tomorrow is here with great expectations.” (NAN)

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

NEWS59 mins ago

AfDB Signs $75m Loan Agreement to Boost Indorama’s Fertilizer Production, Export Capacity

Share The African Development Bank (AfDB), has signed a 75 million dollar loan agreement with Nigeria’s Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and...

NEWS1 hour ago

NSCDC Arrests 3 Suspects with 1,625 Litres of Adulterated Diesel

Share The Anambra Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three suspects with 1,625 litres...

NEWS1 hour ago

Good Friday: Catholic Bishop urges Leaders, Nigerians to Emulate Christ’s Sacrifice

Share As Christians celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Good Friday), the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel...

Foreign News2 hours ago

Earthquake Shakes Western Greece

Share A strong earthquake has shaken western Greece on Friday morning, but no casualties reported. The Greek Geodynamic Institute in...

NEWS2 hours ago

Tinubu’s Refusal to Celebrate 72nd Birthday Mark of Good, Great Leadership – Aide

ShareMr Tunde Rahman, a Senior Presidential Aide to President Bola Tinubu, says the President’s refusal to celebrate his 72nd  birthday...

dailyasset-greetings dailyasset-greetings
NEWS2 hours ago

New Banks’ Minimum Capital Requirement will Enable Long-term Loans, Says ex-ANAN President

ShareA financial expert, Dr Samuel Nzekwe, says the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) new minimum capital requirement for Nigerian banks...

NEWS10 hours ago

Board Sanctions 118 Immigration, Civil Defence Officers

ShareThe Board of NSCDC, Fire Service, Correctional, and Immigration Service, has approved the sanction of 118 personnel for various offences....

NEWS10 hours ago

NSCDC Inaugurates Female Strike Force to Secure FCT Schools

Share The FCT Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Olusola Odumosu, has inaugurated the corps Female...

NEWS10 hours ago

Tinubu Appoints Bello as new Chairman of CCB

Share President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr Abdullahi Usman Bello as the new Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau...

NEWS10 hours ago

170 Incidents of Electrical Installation Vandalism Reported in 2 years in S/East – EEDC

Share The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), says at least 170 incidents of electrical installation vandalism were reported within two...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc