Catholics return to CAN After 5 years of Absence

Catholics return to CAN after five years absence.

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, CSN, has returned to the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, after five years of walking out of the national Christian Umbrella body in the country over some irreconcilable differences with the leadership.

Vanguard recalls that Catholic Bishops had in a letter dated September 24, 2012 which was signed by their President, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, and addressed to the then CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, announced the withdrawal of the Catholic church from the organisation.

However, in 2017, Kaigama led a delegation from the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, to the CAN National secretariat where, in a meeting with the CAN President, Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle and his team, they addressed the identified grey areas and fashioned out wways of addressing them. Sequel to that, Kaigama disclosed the readiness of the Catholics to work with the new CAN leadership.

Last week Thursday and Friday with the appearance of the CSN delegation led by Rev Fr. Prof Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua, who represented Most Rev Kaigama, at the expanded National Executive Committee meeting for the amendment of the constitution of CAN and the quarterly meeting of the Association.

Rev Ayokunle could not hide his joy on the new development when he was reacting to their return.

He said: “Their return was one of the best things that have been happening since I was given the mandate to become the President of the Association. One of my visions for CAN is to bring our Catholic brothers and sisters back to the fold and I must acknowledge the support and understanding of my brother in Christ, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and his team.

“I give kudos to all the Principal Officers, the Directors and some Christian leaders in the country for their support and understanding while the dialogue lasted.

“My joy knows no bond with the presence of the CSN at the Constitutional Amendment Meeting held on Thursday and at the National Executive Committee meeting of the Association on Friday. It is our prayers that the Body of Christ in the country will remain one forever in Jesus’ name.

“At a time like this when Christians are almost becoming endanger species in Nigeria, when churches are being denied the Certificate of Occupancy especially in the core North, when Christians are being denied of key public offices and when the Church is expected to speak for the voiceless especially over the economic and social hardship in our country, we cannot afford of being at war with ourselves”. Speaking further, Ayokunle who also doubled as the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention said, “Our Association is unity in diversity. Jesus Christ prayed for the Church shortly before He returned to heaven in John chapter 17 when He said, ‘I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me”’ (John 17:20&21).

Speaking in the same vein, the CAN Chairman, Northcentral, Rev Dr Israel Akanji who was among those who played prominent roles in the matter said the return of the Catholics to the Association is a sign of good omen to the Body of Christ in Nigeria.

“We are all happy with this new development, now the Body of Christ in Nigeria is one, virile and strong. We can now speak with one voice. With their return, CAN is even now stronger and greater. We have learnt one lesson or two from the challenges that led to their withdraw. Never again will any of the blocks withdraw its membership.”

The Director of Legal issues, Barrister Samuel Kwanku disclosed that the association is working on the new Constitution to ensure that “CAN has an effective internal mechanism to address any misunderstanding among its members. We are all happy with the return of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN). Our strength lies in our unity.” The CSN delegation participated fully in all the discourse while the two days meeting lasted.

CAN was formed in 1976 by five Christian blocs in the country: the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN); the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria/Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN/CPFN); Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Tarayar Ekklesiyoyin Kristi a Nigeria or The Fellowship of the Churches of Christ in Nigeria (TEKAN)/ Evangelical Church of Winning All (ECWA).

- Vanguard.

Comments

HIV/AIDS: Michael Okpara University Discovers New Cure

Prof. Francis Otunta, the Vice Chancellor (VC), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state has confirmed the discovery of a new drug for the treatment and cure of HIV/AIDS by the institution. Otunta told newsmen at the university campus on Wednesday that the finding followed years of scientific research by the institution. He said that the breakthrough was made by one Prof. Maduike Ezeibe, a researcher in the university. According to him, Ezeibe had presented the drug to the University management, Senate and Council, where he explained the processes he went through to arrive at his findings. The Vice chansellor also said that Prof. Ezeibe had equally presented the drug to his colleagues in the medical field and nobody had contradicted his findings. “Prof. Ezeibe is a researcher in Veterinary Medicine and one may wonder how he discovered a drug to cure a human ailment,” he said. He commended Ezeibe for the breakthrough, saying: “He has br...

BREAKING: KADUNA STATE COMMISSIONER FOR EDUCATION DIES

Prof. Jonathan Andrew Nok, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, is dead. He was once the Commissioner of Health and Human Services; and later Commissioner for Education. He was a professor of Biochemistry at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and also the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the ABU. The Kaduna State Government has announced the death of Professor Jonathan Andrew Nok, the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology. Professor Nok died in the early hours of today, 21 November 2017, in Kaduna. Governor Nasir El-Rufai described the Professor Nok as one of the best this country has produced, and one of the most committed persons to have served Kaduna State. The government statement said that Professor Nok was a man of intellect, ability and deep conviction who will be sorely missed. “The Kaduna State Government is saddened by the loss of Professor Jonathan Andrew Nok, our respected Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology. Professo...

14 Things you will Regret in Old age, stop them now

When younger we make various choices without the future in mind. Sometimes those choices bite us in our mid-life. These are some of the things one might regret when they’re older. 1.THE WRONG PERSON YOU MARRIED TODAY. When you’re young, check your motives for marrying. Don’t marry to copy your peers, or for social standing or out of pressure. Marry for love and companionship, marry the right person, marry your best friend. For if you marry the wrong person or for the wrong reasons, you will have to put up with that person the rest of your life. Things might get worse between you two; then depression, physical abuse, affairs, pain, shame, court cases, bitterness will define your mid-life years all because you chose the wrong one. Things will get worse when children are involved. Make the right choice of a spouse when you are young. 2. THE OPPORTUNITIES TODAY YOU DID NOT SEIZE. When you are younger many doors will open, you will get many chances. Many young people let these oppor...

5 Important things to discuss with your fiancee ever before Marriage

Marriage is a lifelong commitment and as such, must be carefully planned and prepared for. It’s so easy to get carried away with the preparations, aso ebi and party planning, and forget what actually matters, the marriage you’re trying to build , No matter how many butterflies your fiancé gives you before you get married, some of them will disappear during marriage. This is not a curse, it’s just a statement of fact. The kind of love that builds a marriage goes beyond Telemundo and R and B. It takes real work and real commitment. And that work must start before the wedding. To avoid arguing with your spouse daily and feeling like you are married to a stranger, both of you need to lay out some ground rules while you are still engaged to ensure that you two have the same vision and expectations for your marriage. 5 things to discuss before marriage 1. Accommodation You need to first sort out where you will live and start your family before your wedding day...

Tiptop Furbishing: Home of superb window Blinds

Give your homes and offices the classy looks they deserve with Tiptop Window blinds. Blinds add style and class to your windows, they are beautiful, convenient and yet affordable. At tiptop furbishing we deal on all kinds of blinds * Aluminum Venetian Blinds * Wooden Blinds * Fabric Blinds * Horizontal Blinds * Wall Papers * Day and Nights...etc Contact us to make your choices and book for your beautiful Blinds at our various offices: HEAD OFFICE: no 58 Ogbunabali Road, Port Harcourt Rivers State. BRANCH OFFICE:no 178 Ahoada Road opposite Salvation Ministries OMOKU Call or WhatsApp: 08068836225 08117215245 EMAIL: tiptopfurbishing@gmail.com Tiptop Furbishing: Home of Superb Window Blinds and Wall Papers

5 ways to become more attractive to others

Feeling good about yourself makes you attractive to others. As you love yourself, life becomes less burdensome and relationships become easier and more spontaneous. You don’t spend your time second-guessing what others are thinking about you and where you stand in your various relationships. When you have an internal sturdiness deep within your core, you smoothly adapt to the inevitable ups and downs that come with relationships. Here are five ways anyone can make themselves more attractive in relationships. 1. Don’t take yourself so seriously. You do not have to be perfect to have solid relationships and love in your life. In fact, it’s being imperfect that puts people at ease. There is a kind of intimacy that takes hold, a sense that you can be open with this person because they are being open with you. Of course, it’s important to connect with supportive and non-toxic people. Generally speaking though, most of the time and with most people, the negative sentiments others ...

OSINBAJO DECRIES HUGE EXODUS OF DOCTORS FROM NIGERIA

The Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday decried the way Nigerian doctors are leaving the country in droves saying the government now has an opportunity to bring back the doctors. Mr. Osinbajo, who spoke at the 60th-anniversary celebration of the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, said that the dismal levels of job satisfaction caused by poor healthcare system in Nigeria were responsible for the “alarming” brain drain in the country’s health sector. The vice president’s remarks comes a few days after the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Lagos State branch, Olumuyiwa Odusote, lamented the exodus of doctors from Nigeria. The Punch newspaper quoted Mr. Odusote as saying, “The health crisis in Nigeria is unprecedented as the mass exodus hits an alarming proportion. “Already, it takes a new patient two to three hours to see a doctor. Over 100 doctors have resigned from the University College Hospital, Ibadan, this year; about 800 doc...

MY SURE NEWS

Search This Blog