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Lent: ‘Draw strength in faith’ – CAN decries high cost of living in Nigeria

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The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has called on Nigerians to rise above hardship and draw strength from faith and community in this Lenten season.

Christians, especially those of the Catholic Church all over the world, observed the Ash Wednesday on Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the season of Lent.

In a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN said the season invites reflection, renewal and recommitment for everyone seeking to pause and consider the direction of their lives and that of the nation.

CAN also noted that the period should be dedicated to making sacrifices, prayers and charities.

“For us in Nigeria, this season arrives amid challenges—rising living costs, insecurity, and daily struggles to put food on the table. Yet, Lent calls us to hope, urging us to look beyond our hardships and draw strength from faith and community,” the statement said.

“To the trader in Lagos, the farmer in Benue, the teacher in Kano, the driver in Port Harcourt, the student in Enugu, and Nigerians of all walks of life: Lent invites reflection on what truly matters.

“It offers a chance to release bitterness, share our resources with neighbours, and seek God’s grace for the journey ahead. Whether fasting from food or other passions, this season reminds us that we are united as one people under God, connected by our shared struggles and dreams.

“As Nigerians, we understand sacrifice and endurance. Lent resonates with the patience of mothers stretching meals, the courage of fathers toiling under the sun, and the faith of children praying for a brighter future.

“Let us use these 40 days to deepen our love for one another, pray for peace in our land, and work together for a Nigeria where justice and dignity prevail.

“I urge Christians to approach this Lenten season sincerely and invite all Nigerians—regardless of creed—to join in this spirit of renewal. Let us pray for our leaders to govern with wisdom and compassion, for our youth to find purpose and opportunity, and for ourselves to rise above division and build a nation we can all be proud of.

“May this Ash Wednesday mark the beginning of a transformative journey for us all. May God bless you and our dear country, Nigeria.”

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You are locking your destiny and hindering your progress if you keep sleeping with a lady during her menstruation——- Bishop Ephraim Ononye.

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The Anambra clergy man posted a video yesterday where he mentioned that any man that keeps having $ex with a woman when she’s on her period is locking up his destiny without knowing.

He asserted that this revelation is generally acceptable by all religions including African traditional worship(Omenana) and Christianity.

He further encouraged men to stop having $€xual activity with a lady when she is menstruating. Link to the video is in the comment section.

 

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Pope Francis: Australian leaders pause campaigning

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Australia’s major political parties on Tuesday paused campaigning following the death of Pope Francis, with leaders paying tribute to the late pontiff.

The early voting would open on May 3, with the federal election.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended a morning mass at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, while opposition leader Peter Dutton said he would spend the day reflecting.

He added, “today was not the day for big politicking,’’ broadcaster ABC reported.

According to news agency AAP, both leaders cancelled scheduled campaign events but will proceed with the third leaders’ debate on Tuesday night.

Albanese, a Catholic, called Pope Francis “one of the most significant of all the holy fathers,’’ praising his humility and focus on social justice.

Flags on Commonwealth buildings would be lowered to half-mast in tribute on Tuesday, the government said.

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Pope Francis: Tributes, mass and vigils held in towns and cities across Europe

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People attend a mass inside Notre Dame cathedral where a poster shows Pope Francis. -
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In Italy, bells tolled in church towers and flags were lowered to half-staff on government buildings in Rome.

Vigils, tributes and special services of mass have been held across Europe as faithfuls mourn following the death of the late Pope Francis.

In Italy, bells tolled in church towers and flags were lowered to half-staff on government buildings in Rome.

In France, an Evening Mass was held at Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral, during which worshippers paid homage to the pontiff during a prayer vigil.

Families attending the evening mass lit candles and placed them in front of a large photograph of the Pope.

The Notre Dame bells also rang out 88 times to mark the years in the Pope’s life, while the Eiffel Tower went dark in tribute to Francis.

In Madrid, mass was held at the Almudena Cathedral where some of those attending spoke of the late pontiff, who died earlier on Monday, and said he would be greatly missed and leave a lasting legacy.

“To us, the Pope represents a memory of love and inclusion. As young people, he marked a turning point in the Church. He was a pope we loved dearly and we will remember him with deep affection,” said Sara Ruiz, a teaching assistant in a local Catholic school.

Missionary nun, Miriam Blanco also spoke of Francis’ legacy, saying “it’s a very beautiful memory and the legacy that he leaves us as Holy Father – truth, his simplicity, his closeness, I think it has been very, very good and we are going to miss him a lot.”

Meanwhile, Vatican flags have been raised in Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria, where worshippers echoed similar sentiments.

A Requiem Mass is held for Pope Francis inside Westminster Cathedral, in London.AP Photo/Alastair Grant

 

In the small town of Szécsény in Hungary, local residents gathered near the Franciscan church and monastery.

“He was a simple, puritanical man who had tried to bring this to the church as well, rather with less success. Of course, today the pope has relatively little power and voice. Whatever he said, unfortunately, the world did not want to listen to him,” said Lajos Vámosi, a local resident of the town.

Mourners also gathered around the Catholic Cathedral in Zagreb, the Croatian capital, to pay their respects to the late Pope.

“I think one great man has left us. One great man of church, God and the people. This is hard for us. We feel very sorry. I believe he will pray for us from paradise, in the same way that he prayed for us on earth. He was working for everyone, poor or rich,” said Sister Antonija Grubisic, a catholic nun.

Catholics in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia lit candles in the city’s Cathedral, where Monsignor Rumen Stanev said Francis “had a profound affinity for those who are marginalised and abandoned.”

“Like Jesus in the Gospels, he walked among sinners, the outcast, and the weak.”

In the UK too, the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, celebrated a Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral on Monday evening, in honour of Pope Francis.

Flags were also flown at half mast across the capital to mark the Pope’s death.

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