HIV/AIDS: Church of Nigeria parleys with NACA
CONN/280405
Abuja, April 28, 2005- Following the implementation of her strategic policy document on HIV/AIDS, representatives of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and the National Action Committee of AIDS (NACA) are to collaborate to crash the pandemic.
A decision to this effect was made following a meeting which took place in Abuja between the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria, Ven. Oluranti Odubogun and Chairman of NACA Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin.
Ven. Odubogun gave an upbeat assessment on the Church’s response, outlining detailed activities carried out towards reduction of AIDS in the country.
So far, seminars and enlightenment campaigns were organized for over 60 Anglican Bishops and in October 2004, 63 Diocesan HIV/AIDS coordinator were trained on HIV/AIDS programming.
He said an integrated Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre (VCT) had been established in Abuja, adding that a prevention and care programme was commissioned under the Social Welfare Committee of the Church.
Partner Organisations including Action Aid International, Policy Project Nigeria and Christian Aid UK had at various degrees provided support for the Anglican Church activities on HIV/AIDS.
Responding, Prof. Osotimehin said Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) had an important role to play in the fight against the epidemic particularly in the areas of prevention and education.
According to him collaboration and encouragement in the face of so many obstacles should serve as a driving force to all major contributors to the National response on HIV/AIDS.
He commended the Anglican Church for evolving a workable strategic policy document on HIV/AIDS.
The Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church are the two FBOs that have evolved policies toward combating the scourge.
It would be recalled that NACA recently called for proposal from organizations working on combating HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
NACA plans to provide funding for successful bids ranging from N13 million to N39 million. Furthermore a national roundtable to access the impact of faith based groups on HIV/AIDS will be held in June this year.
Other members of the Church of Nigeria team present at the parley were National HIV/AIDS coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Olatunji, Rev. Sam Akale and Dr. Anthony Momoh.
Thursday 28 April 2005
Church of Nigeria reaches out to assist the Anglican Church of Congo
Church of Nigeria reaches out to assist the Anglican Church of Congo
CONN/290405
Abuja, April 28, 2005- The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has donated a Land cruiser jeep to the Primate of Congo, the Most Rev Dirokpa B Fidele, to ease mobility and support evangelical work in the area.
Archbishop of Lagos Province, the Most Rev Ephraim Ademowo and the Bishop on the Niger, the Rt. Rev Ken Okeke presented the vehicle to the Primate of Congo in Kinshasa on behalf of the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev'd Peter Akinola.
The donation, which is to encourage the bond of love and partnership among African Anglican Churches, is coming few months after the maiden Africa Bishops Conference resolved that financially challenged Provinces should be supported by the more privileged Provinces.
Many years of civil war in the Congo DR has killed some 3 million people, rendering millions more homeless and completely ruined the country’s economy. The Church is also affected by this colossal loss of human lives and property. Stories abound of families sharing sleeping accommodation by observing shifts. Feeding is a problem as well as education with the clergy even finding it difficult to send their children to school.
Archbishop Ademowo said he saw deplorable conditions of living in the DR Congo and admits that the level of poverty is still very high. “The Province really needs a lot of assistance’’, he said, adding years of civil war has made the infrastructure of the country very dreadful.
This view was also corroborated by Bishop Okeke “Because of the incessant war in Congo the economy in the country is chaotic. In the capital there is no adequate transportation and life is generally difficult. This also affects the Church itself.’’
The Land cruiser Jeep worth thousands of Dollars was received with joy by the Primate and the Church “When we handed him (Archbishop Fidele) the key to the car he was enthused and excited,” Ademowo said. Congo is one of the largest African countries in terms of land mass and one can only imagine the many evangelistic opportunities good transportation can aid.
The visit to Kinshasa provided an opportunity to appraise the request for a missionary Bishop from the Church of Nigeria.
According to Bishop Okeke, who is also the Chairman of the Church of Nigeria Missionary Society (CNMS), the Missionary Bishop will be based in Kasai region which is annexed to the Diocese of Kinshasa.
His responsibilities would include preparing the missionary diocese to become a full fledged Diocese.
Archbishop Ephraim Ademowo and the Primate of Congo (3rd and 4th from left) in front of the Bishop’s worship center in Kinshasa. “The Anglican Church in Kinshasa is so young and poor that there is only one church building with deficient design that can sit only 50 people. The other sites are yet to be developed.’’ There are four priests and ten deacons in Kinshasa diocese. Their monthly support is very low. There is a lot the Church of Nigeria can do for them in terms of assistance and empowerment. ’’ Bishop Okeke said.
The Anglican Church in Kinshasa is just 8 years old and Archbishop Fidele doubles as the Bishop of Kinshasa. The Anglican Church came to Eastern Congo some 80 years ago but failed to thrive in the western part of the country where she is now moving in to spread the Gospel.
CONN/290405
Abuja, April 28, 2005- The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has donated a Land cruiser jeep to the Primate of Congo, the Most Rev Dirokpa B Fidele, to ease mobility and support evangelical work in the area.
Archbishop of Lagos Province, the Most Rev Ephraim Ademowo and the Bishop on the Niger, the Rt. Rev Ken Okeke presented the vehicle to the Primate of Congo in Kinshasa on behalf of the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev'd Peter Akinola.
The donation, which is to encourage the bond of love and partnership among African Anglican Churches, is coming few months after the maiden Africa Bishops Conference resolved that financially challenged Provinces should be supported by the more privileged Provinces.
Many years of civil war in the Congo DR has killed some 3 million people, rendering millions more homeless and completely ruined the country’s economy. The Church is also affected by this colossal loss of human lives and property. Stories abound of families sharing sleeping accommodation by observing shifts. Feeding is a problem as well as education with the clergy even finding it difficult to send their children to school.
Archbishop Ademowo said he saw deplorable conditions of living in the DR Congo and admits that the level of poverty is still very high. “The Province really needs a lot of assistance’’, he said, adding years of civil war has made the infrastructure of the country very dreadful.
This view was also corroborated by Bishop Okeke “Because of the incessant war in Congo the economy in the country is chaotic. In the capital there is no adequate transportation and life is generally difficult. This also affects the Church itself.’’
The Land cruiser Jeep worth thousands of Dollars was received with joy by the Primate and the Church “When we handed him (Archbishop Fidele) the key to the car he was enthused and excited,” Ademowo said. Congo is one of the largest African countries in terms of land mass and one can only imagine the many evangelistic opportunities good transportation can aid.
The visit to Kinshasa provided an opportunity to appraise the request for a missionary Bishop from the Church of Nigeria.
According to Bishop Okeke, who is also the Chairman of the Church of Nigeria Missionary Society (CNMS), the Missionary Bishop will be based in Kasai region which is annexed to the Diocese of Kinshasa.
His responsibilities would include preparing the missionary diocese to become a full fledged Diocese.
Archbishop Ephraim Ademowo and the Primate of Congo (3rd and 4th from left) in front of the Bishop’s worship center in Kinshasa. “The Anglican Church in Kinshasa is so young and poor that there is only one church building with deficient design that can sit only 50 people. The other sites are yet to be developed.’’ There are four priests and ten deacons in Kinshasa diocese. Their monthly support is very low. There is a lot the Church of Nigeria can do for them in terms of assistance and empowerment. ’’ Bishop Okeke said.
The Anglican Church in Kinshasa is just 8 years old and Archbishop Fidele doubles as the Bishop of Kinshasa. The Anglican Church came to Eastern Congo some 80 years ago but failed to thrive in the western part of the country where she is now moving in to spread the Gospel.
Christ Church Kaduna breathes peace at last
Christ Church Kaduna breathes peace at last
CONN/300405
Kaduna, Apirl 28, 2005- A new Vicar has been presented to the congregation of Christ (Anglican) Church Kaduna, signaling the return of peace after disagreement over disposition of clergy caused a rift between the Diocese and one of her parish Churches.
He is the Rev Canon Ben Idume, currently serving as the Church of Nigeria National Director of Youth and Women Affairs.
Archbishop of Kaduna, the Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, made the announcement to hundreds of worshippers who had the chance to witness the end of the over one-year old Vicar-ship dispute on Sunday 24th April, 2005.
He also announced the dissolution of the Central Working Committee of the Church (CWC), led by Chief O.N. Nwobi and commissioned a 12-man Committee, expected to work with the new Vicar until vestry elections are held.
For the past 15 months, Christ Church Kaduna and the Diocese of Kaduna were embroiled in a face-off after members of the local parish rejected the posting of a non-Igbo speaking Vicar.
Insisting that it was their right to have an-Igbo speaking Vicar since the congregation was pre-dominantly Igbo; the local church parted ways with the Diocesan who was of the opinion that non-Igbo speakers should be encouraged to join the Church for total integration irrespective of tribe or tongue
During the period of the impasse, the pastoral care of the congregation was committed to lay readers of the Church and an external ministry.
The intervention of Governor Ahmed Makarfi of Kaduna State and the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev. Peter Akinola commissioned a reconciliation Committee.
The Committee had representatives from the State government, the Kaduna State Christian Association of Nigeria, the Diocese of Kaduna and Christ Church Kaduna.
Prominent in the truce reached by the Reconciliation Committee was the posting of Rev Idume, a Deltan, who understands and speaks the Igbo language fluently.
At the `reconciliation service’, Archbishop Fearon prayed God to reward all that worked for the return of peace in the Church and particularly asked that the new Vicar be empowered with wisdom and understanding.
“We pray that the team (12-man Committee) he is working with will be fully controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit, ’’ the Archbishop said.
In a solemn mood, Rev. Canon Idume urged for prayers from members of the Church and appealed that all side-talks and gossip be put away toward achieving the supreme goal of the Church, which is salvation.
Meanwhile, the institution and induction service of the new Vicar is to come up on May 8, 2005.
Among the dignitaries who attended the service were Permanent Secretary Bureau for Religious Affairs in Kaduna State and the Secretary of CAN Kaduna Chapter, Rev. John Haiab.
Christ Church Kaduna was established in 1946
CONN/300405
Kaduna, Apirl 28, 2005- A new Vicar has been presented to the congregation of Christ (Anglican) Church Kaduna, signaling the return of peace after disagreement over disposition of clergy caused a rift between the Diocese and one of her parish Churches.
He is the Rev Canon Ben Idume, currently serving as the Church of Nigeria National Director of Youth and Women Affairs.
Archbishop of Kaduna, the Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, made the announcement to hundreds of worshippers who had the chance to witness the end of the over one-year old Vicar-ship dispute on Sunday 24th April, 2005.
He also announced the dissolution of the Central Working Committee of the Church (CWC), led by Chief O.N. Nwobi and commissioned a 12-man Committee, expected to work with the new Vicar until vestry elections are held.
For the past 15 months, Christ Church Kaduna and the Diocese of Kaduna were embroiled in a face-off after members of the local parish rejected the posting of a non-Igbo speaking Vicar.
Insisting that it was their right to have an-Igbo speaking Vicar since the congregation was pre-dominantly Igbo; the local church parted ways with the Diocesan who was of the opinion that non-Igbo speakers should be encouraged to join the Church for total integration irrespective of tribe or tongue
During the period of the impasse, the pastoral care of the congregation was committed to lay readers of the Church and an external ministry.
The intervention of Governor Ahmed Makarfi of Kaduna State and the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Rev. Peter Akinola commissioned a reconciliation Committee.
The Committee had representatives from the State government, the Kaduna State Christian Association of Nigeria, the Diocese of Kaduna and Christ Church Kaduna.
Prominent in the truce reached by the Reconciliation Committee was the posting of Rev Idume, a Deltan, who understands and speaks the Igbo language fluently.
At the `reconciliation service’, Archbishop Fearon prayed God to reward all that worked for the return of peace in the Church and particularly asked that the new Vicar be empowered with wisdom and understanding.
“We pray that the team (12-man Committee) he is working with will be fully controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit, ’’ the Archbishop said.
In a solemn mood, Rev. Canon Idume urged for prayers from members of the Church and appealed that all side-talks and gossip be put away toward achieving the supreme goal of the Church, which is salvation.
Meanwhile, the institution and induction service of the new Vicar is to come up on May 8, 2005.
Among the dignitaries who attended the service were Permanent Secretary Bureau for Religious Affairs in Kaduna State and the Secretary of CAN Kaduna Chapter, Rev. John Haiab.
Christ Church Kaduna was established in 1946
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