Statement of the Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria
CONN/150305
The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion is optimistic that the decision of the Anglican Primates by asking the ECUSA and the Church of Canada to withdraw from the Communion will bring genuine repentance to the churches.
In a statement, the first issued by the Nigerian Church after the Primates meeting in February, the Standing Committee of the Church commended the Anglican Primates for standing up for orthodoxy in Christian faith and morals.
They interpreted the call for withdrawal to mean `` the suspension of ECUSA and the Church in Canada over their stance on human sexuality.
The statement was issued at the just concluded Standing Committee held at the Cathedral Church of St Michael Kaduna.
Read full text of communiqué:
Monday, 21 March 2005
Tuesday, 15 March 2005
Church of Nigeria elects new Bishop of Gusau, receives application for more dioceses
Church of Nigeria elects new Bishop of Gusau, receives application for more dioceses
(CONN/130305)
Following the translation of Bishop Simon Bala to the missionary Diocese of Kubwa, the Episcopal synod of the Church of Nigeria has announced the election of Rev. Canon John Garba as the new Bishop of Gusau Diocese.
Also the Standing Committee of the Church has received application for the creation of three additional dioceses.
The announcement was made by the Primate of the Anglican Church Archbishop Peter Akinola at the just concluded bi-annual meeting of the Church held in Kaduna.
Born in 1958, Rev. Garba until his election was a priest at St. Michael’s Cathedral Kaduna. He was ordained in 1991 and has served as minister in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto States.
The Bishop elect told our correspondent “shortly after my ordination in 1991 I spent four months in Gusau. I consider my going there in 2005 as a Bishop as a very great challenge to me.”
Meanwhile two Anglican Bishops are billed to retire by September 2005. They are Bishops Jeremiah Fabuluje of the diocese of Kwara and Nathaniel Yisa of the diocese of Minna.
The mandatory retirement age for Bishops in the Anglican Church is 70 however the clergymen are at liberty to retire before the specified age.
Bishops Fabuluje and Yisa preached their valedictory sermons at the Kaduna meeting.
In his sermon topic entitled Obedience, the retiring Bishop of Kwara urged Christians to think more seriously of the salvation of souls than the raising of funds for building physical structures.
Speaking on the same topic, Bishop of Minna called on Christians to be more generous in their offerings to God as the Lord appreciates sacrificial offering given in obedience and humility.
According to him “to believe in Jesus Christ, belong to him and behave like him is the total sum of obedience. ’’
In a related development the bi-annual meeting of the Church also received application for the creation of three additional dioceses.
They are the Ijebu-Igbo to be carved out from the Diocese of Ijebu, Aguata from the Diocese of Awka and Missionary Diocese of Western Izon from the Diocese of Warri.
However, the ratification of the proposed dioceses (full-fledged) will depend on their ability to meet their financial obligation to the church including the endowment fund, Lambeth conference and an investment fund paid to the national office
(CONN/130305)
Following the translation of Bishop Simon Bala to the missionary Diocese of Kubwa, the Episcopal synod of the Church of Nigeria has announced the election of Rev. Canon John Garba as the new Bishop of Gusau Diocese.
Also the Standing Committee of the Church has received application for the creation of three additional dioceses.
The announcement was made by the Primate of the Anglican Church Archbishop Peter Akinola at the just concluded bi-annual meeting of the Church held in Kaduna.
Born in 1958, Rev. Garba until his election was a priest at St. Michael’s Cathedral Kaduna. He was ordained in 1991 and has served as minister in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto States.
The Bishop elect told our correspondent “shortly after my ordination in 1991 I spent four months in Gusau. I consider my going there in 2005 as a Bishop as a very great challenge to me.”
Meanwhile two Anglican Bishops are billed to retire by September 2005. They are Bishops Jeremiah Fabuluje of the diocese of Kwara and Nathaniel Yisa of the diocese of Minna.
The mandatory retirement age for Bishops in the Anglican Church is 70 however the clergymen are at liberty to retire before the specified age.
Bishops Fabuluje and Yisa preached their valedictory sermons at the Kaduna meeting.
In his sermon topic entitled Obedience, the retiring Bishop of Kwara urged Christians to think more seriously of the salvation of souls than the raising of funds for building physical structures.
Speaking on the same topic, Bishop of Minna called on Christians to be more generous in their offerings to God as the Lord appreciates sacrificial offering given in obedience and humility.
According to him “to believe in Jesus Christ, belong to him and behave like him is the total sum of obedience. ’’
In a related development the bi-annual meeting of the Church also received application for the creation of three additional dioceses.
They are the Ijebu-Igbo to be carved out from the Diocese of Ijebu, Aguata from the Diocese of Awka and Missionary Diocese of Western Izon from the Diocese of Warri.
However, the ratification of the proposed dioceses (full-fledged) will depend on their ability to meet their financial obligation to the church including the endowment fund, Lambeth conference and an investment fund paid to the national office
Tuesday, 8 March 2005
Anglican Churchmen converge in Kaduna
Anglican Churchmen converge in Kaduna
By Peter Onwubuariri
CONN/100305
Abuja, March 8- About 400 Nigerian Anglican churchmen representing the laity, clergy and Bishops will be gathering in the northern city of Kaduna for their bi-annual meeting, which is set to be dominated by issues concerning the growth of the church and the state of the nation.
The meeting otherwise known as The Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion will take place at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael Kaduna from March 9-12.
A major concern of the Kaduna meeting will be the appraisal of the vision of the Church of Nigeria initiated by the Primate of All Nigeria, Archbishop Peter Akinola shortly after his presentation in 2000 as the leader of the 17-million Nigerian Anglican congregation.
At the starting of his public ministry as Primate of Nigeria, Archbishop Akinola encapsulated the five key areas of the vision to include evangelism, spirituality, unity, caring and relationships with other faith.
Five years after, a gathering of the inner lives of the 10 provinces and over 80 dioceses of the Church of Nigeria with representatives of laity, clergy and bishops will evaluate how the Church has (and hasn’t) changed.
One distinct area that will engage the meeting is the issue of funds particularly the N1 billion endowment fund initiated in 2000 with the aim to finance the activities and programmes of the church.
With a good endowment fund in place, the burden of fund raising by the Bishops and their dioceses should be reduced. In fact dioceses are now enjoying a reduction in the annual assessment paid to the central pool. This is supposed to eventually be passed down to individual churches
However the Primate is worried that the endowment fund is not being fully gathered as and when it ought to even though the dioceses got 15 per cent reduction in their assessment in 2005
On evangelism, the 26-year old church of Nigeria has been involved in massive church planting and creation of additional missionary dioceses.
From 29 dioceses in 1989, the church grew to 76 dioceses in 1999 and a record of 91 dioceses in 2005.
Keeping with his vision for growth, the present Primate has gone ahead to create 14 dioceses in the past five years.
His predecessor Archbishop Joseph Adetiloye, the 2nd Primate and Metropolitan Church of Nigeria (1988-99) created 47 dioceses.
With over 5,000 priests, the leadership of the church has repeatedly admonished clergymen that the emphasis on growth is not just in numbers but in deeper understanding of the word of God facilitated by enhanced attendance at bible study, prayer meetings, worship services and stewardship.
In Kaduna, delegates will be briefed on the outcome of the just concluded Primates meeting held in Northern Ireland, particularly on matters affecting sexuality and the North American churches uncompromising liberal stand.
Last month, Primates of the Anglican Communion asked the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA) to voluntarily withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) for the period leading up to the next Lambeth Conference of in 2008.
In 2003, the Nigerian Anglican Church severed links with some US dioceses that approved and consecrated Gene Robinson, a homosexual as the Bishop of New Hampshire.
It also broke ties with the Canadian church for authorizing the blessing of same-sex unions.
On national issues, the meeting is expected to voice out on some burning issues.
At present some 400 Nigerians are in Abuja attending the National Political Reform Conference.
Anglican Bishop of Lagos West Diocese, Peter Adebiyi is among the six delegates of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Archbishop Peter Akinola has declared his support for the conference and hinted that CAN delegates will canvass religious tolerance and a halt to the killing of their members in the country.
Interestingly Kaduna has witnessed bloody clashes between Christians and Muslims in the past four years.
The churchmen will use the occasion of the meeting to hoist an olive branch of peace and unity to a region which has become notorious for restiveness.
By Peter Onwubuariri
CONN/100305
Abuja, March 8- About 400 Nigerian Anglican churchmen representing the laity, clergy and Bishops will be gathering in the northern city of Kaduna for their bi-annual meeting, which is set to be dominated by issues concerning the growth of the church and the state of the nation.
The meeting otherwise known as The Standing Committee of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion will take place at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael Kaduna from March 9-12.
A major concern of the Kaduna meeting will be the appraisal of the vision of the Church of Nigeria initiated by the Primate of All Nigeria, Archbishop Peter Akinola shortly after his presentation in 2000 as the leader of the 17-million Nigerian Anglican congregation.
At the starting of his public ministry as Primate of Nigeria, Archbishop Akinola encapsulated the five key areas of the vision to include evangelism, spirituality, unity, caring and relationships with other faith.
Five years after, a gathering of the inner lives of the 10 provinces and over 80 dioceses of the Church of Nigeria with representatives of laity, clergy and bishops will evaluate how the Church has (and hasn’t) changed.
One distinct area that will engage the meeting is the issue of funds particularly the N1 billion endowment fund initiated in 2000 with the aim to finance the activities and programmes of the church.
With a good endowment fund in place, the burden of fund raising by the Bishops and their dioceses should be reduced. In fact dioceses are now enjoying a reduction in the annual assessment paid to the central pool. This is supposed to eventually be passed down to individual churches
However the Primate is worried that the endowment fund is not being fully gathered as and when it ought to even though the dioceses got 15 per cent reduction in their assessment in 2005
On evangelism, the 26-year old church of Nigeria has been involved in massive church planting and creation of additional missionary dioceses.
From 29 dioceses in 1989, the church grew to 76 dioceses in 1999 and a record of 91 dioceses in 2005.
Keeping with his vision for growth, the present Primate has gone ahead to create 14 dioceses in the past five years.
His predecessor Archbishop Joseph Adetiloye, the 2nd Primate and Metropolitan Church of Nigeria (1988-99) created 47 dioceses.
With over 5,000 priests, the leadership of the church has repeatedly admonished clergymen that the emphasis on growth is not just in numbers but in deeper understanding of the word of God facilitated by enhanced attendance at bible study, prayer meetings, worship services and stewardship.
In Kaduna, delegates will be briefed on the outcome of the just concluded Primates meeting held in Northern Ireland, particularly on matters affecting sexuality and the North American churches uncompromising liberal stand.
Last month, Primates of the Anglican Communion asked the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA) to voluntarily withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) for the period leading up to the next Lambeth Conference of in 2008.
In 2003, the Nigerian Anglican Church severed links with some US dioceses that approved and consecrated Gene Robinson, a homosexual as the Bishop of New Hampshire.
It also broke ties with the Canadian church for authorizing the blessing of same-sex unions.
On national issues, the meeting is expected to voice out on some burning issues.
At present some 400 Nigerians are in Abuja attending the National Political Reform Conference.
Anglican Bishop of Lagos West Diocese, Peter Adebiyi is among the six delegates of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Archbishop Peter Akinola has declared his support for the conference and hinted that CAN delegates will canvass religious tolerance and a halt to the killing of their members in the country.
Interestingly Kaduna has witnessed bloody clashes between Christians and Muslims in the past four years.
The churchmen will use the occasion of the meeting to hoist an olive branch of peace and unity to a region which has become notorious for restiveness.
Monday, 21 February 2005
ARCHBISHOP AKINOLA CO-CHAIRS THE NIGERIA RELIEF COMMITTEE ON TSUNAMI DISASTER
ARCHBISHOP AKINOLA CO-CHAIRS THE NIGERIA RELIEF COMMITTEE ON TSUNAMI DISASTER
CONN/040105
The Federal government of Nigeria has established a Relief Committee on Tsunami Disaster and appointed the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Grace Archbishop Peter Akinola as the Co-Chair of the committee with His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Maccido, the Sultan of Sokoto.
Already the Nigerian government has responded to the monumental catastrophe which caused the untimely death of over 200,000 people by contributing the sum of one million dollars to the United Nations Relief Fund for the Tsunami victims.
In the light of above, the leadership of CAN appeals to all Christians in the country and beyond to donate generously to the victims of the unfortunate incident.
Please send in your donations to the “Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund’’ through the following banks in all the states of the Federation.
First Bank of Nigeria PLC- Account Number: 4062050014410
Habib Bank Nigeria PLC – Account Number: 01301192952
Zenith Bank Plc- Account Number: 6011327329
For further inquires please contact the secretary of the Committee at the following address:
Political Affairs Office
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federatiom
Merit House, 4th Floor,
Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja
Nigeria
Telephone Numbers: 08034518811, 09-4134529, 09-4134532
CONN/040105
The Federal government of Nigeria has established a Relief Committee on Tsunami Disaster and appointed the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Grace Archbishop Peter Akinola as the Co-Chair of the committee with His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Maccido, the Sultan of Sokoto.
Already the Nigerian government has responded to the monumental catastrophe which caused the untimely death of over 200,000 people by contributing the sum of one million dollars to the United Nations Relief Fund for the Tsunami victims.
In the light of above, the leadership of CAN appeals to all Christians in the country and beyond to donate generously to the victims of the unfortunate incident.
Please send in your donations to the “Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund’’ through the following banks in all the states of the Federation.
First Bank of Nigeria PLC- Account Number: 4062050014410
Habib Bank Nigeria PLC – Account Number: 01301192952
Zenith Bank Plc- Account Number: 6011327329
For further inquires please contact the secretary of the Committee at the following address:
Political Affairs Office
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federatiom
Merit House, 4th Floor,
Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja
Nigeria
Telephone Numbers: 08034518811, 09-4134529, 09-4134532
Monday, 24 January 2005
Church of Nigeria elects Ten Bishops
Church of Nigeria elects Ten Bishops
By Peter Onwubuariri
CONN/040105
Updates: Church of Nigeria now has 91 dioceses
Abuja, Jan. 24, 2004- The Episcopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has announced the election of ten new Bishops.
In a statement issued at the weekend in Abuja, Director of Communication of the Church of Nigeria, The Rev Canon Tunde Popoola said the election was made at the Bishops’ meeting held in The Chapel of St Peter, Ibru Centre Agbarha-Otor in Delta state.
The names of the new Bishops are the Very Revd Ezekiel Ayodele Awosoga, formerly the provost of the Cathedral of Our Saviour Ijebu is now the Bishop of the Diocese of Ijebu.
The Revd Canon Solomon Gberegbara, formerly of St. Simon’s Church, Deken, as Bishop of Ogoni Missionary Diocese.
The Very Revd Mathew Osunade, formerly of The Cathedral of St. James. Ibadan, as Bishop of Ogbomoso Missionary Diocese.
The Venerable Samuel Chibueze Chukwuka, formerly of All Saints’ Catheral, Onitsha, as Bishop of Isikwuato Missionary Diocese.
The Revd Canon Johnson Chibueze Onuoha, formerly of Our Saviour’s Church, Garki, Abuja, as Bishop of Arochukwu/Ohafia Missionary Diocese.
The Venerable Joseph N. Musa, formerly of St. James’ Church Suleja, as Bishop of Idah Missionary Diocese.
The Rev. Chigozirim Onyegbule, formerly of Holy Trinity Church, Ubakala, Umuahia, as Bishop of Ikwuano Missionary Diocese.
The Venerable Duke Timothy Akamisoko, formerly Director Ecumenism and Inter-Faith Dialogue in the Primate’s Office, Abuja, as Bishop of Zonkwa Missionary Diocese.
The Venerable Babatunde Joseph Adeyemi, formerly of The Church of Pentecost Festac Town, Lagos, as Bishop of Badagry Missionary Diocese.
Also, The Rt. Rev Simon Bala, formely Bishop of Gusau Diocese in Zamfara Sate was elected the Bishop of Kubwa Diocese in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He is on translation.
The consecration of the new Bishops has been fixed for March 13, 2005 at the Cathedral Church of the Advent Gwarinpa, Abuja.
Church of Nigeria News (CONN) reports that the Episcopal synod last September approved the creation of additional nine dioceses, bringing the total number of dioceses to 91.
The Nigerian church has ten ecclesiastical provinces each administered by an Archbishop. The provinces include Kaduna, Jos, Abuja and Ibadan. Others are Lagos, Ondo, Bendel, Niger-Delta, Owerri and On the Niger.
By Peter Onwubuariri
CONN/040105
Updates: Church of Nigeria now has 91 dioceses
Abuja, Jan. 24, 2004- The Episcopal Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has announced the election of ten new Bishops.
In a statement issued at the weekend in Abuja, Director of Communication of the Church of Nigeria, The Rev Canon Tunde Popoola said the election was made at the Bishops’ meeting held in The Chapel of St Peter, Ibru Centre Agbarha-Otor in Delta state.
The names of the new Bishops are the Very Revd Ezekiel Ayodele Awosoga, formerly the provost of the Cathedral of Our Saviour Ijebu is now the Bishop of the Diocese of Ijebu.
The Revd Canon Solomon Gberegbara, formerly of St. Simon’s Church, Deken, as Bishop of Ogoni Missionary Diocese.
The Very Revd Mathew Osunade, formerly of The Cathedral of St. James. Ibadan, as Bishop of Ogbomoso Missionary Diocese.
The Venerable Samuel Chibueze Chukwuka, formerly of All Saints’ Catheral, Onitsha, as Bishop of Isikwuato Missionary Diocese.
The Revd Canon Johnson Chibueze Onuoha, formerly of Our Saviour’s Church, Garki, Abuja, as Bishop of Arochukwu/Ohafia Missionary Diocese.
The Venerable Joseph N. Musa, formerly of St. James’ Church Suleja, as Bishop of Idah Missionary Diocese.
The Rev. Chigozirim Onyegbule, formerly of Holy Trinity Church, Ubakala, Umuahia, as Bishop of Ikwuano Missionary Diocese.
The Venerable Duke Timothy Akamisoko, formerly Director Ecumenism and Inter-Faith Dialogue in the Primate’s Office, Abuja, as Bishop of Zonkwa Missionary Diocese.
The Venerable Babatunde Joseph Adeyemi, formerly of The Church of Pentecost Festac Town, Lagos, as Bishop of Badagry Missionary Diocese.
Also, The Rt. Rev Simon Bala, formely Bishop of Gusau Diocese in Zamfara Sate was elected the Bishop of Kubwa Diocese in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He is on translation.
The consecration of the new Bishops has been fixed for March 13, 2005 at the Cathedral Church of the Advent Gwarinpa, Abuja.
Church of Nigeria News (CONN) reports that the Episcopal synod last September approved the creation of additional nine dioceses, bringing the total number of dioceses to 91.
The Nigerian church has ten ecclesiastical provinces each administered by an Archbishop. The provinces include Kaduna, Jos, Abuja and Ibadan. Others are Lagos, Ondo, Bendel, Niger-Delta, Owerri and On the Niger.
Thursday, 20 January 2005
Diocese of Jos celebrates 25th Anniversary
Diocese of Jos celebrates 25th Anniversary
By Susan Essam and Peter Onwubuariri
CONN/030105
Abuja, Jan 20, 2005 - The Anglican Diocese of Jos held its 25th anniversary at St Luke's Cathedral Jos, on January 10.
The event included the launching of the diocesan booklet containing photographs of the past and present Bishops of Jos namely The Rt. Rev Samuel Ebo (1980-1984), The Rt. Rev T.E Adesola (1985-1991) and the Rt. Benjamin Kwasi (1992- ), as well as a special Holy Eucharistic service.
Bishop Kwashi used the occasion of his sermon to announce the preferment of seven canons into the position of Archdeacons, as well as to kick-start the diocesan theme for 2005, Walking in the Light.
The preferred canons and their new areas of supervision are Rev. Canon Austin Eboh as Archdeacon of Pankshin Archdeaconry, Rev. Canon Chijioke Nlem as Archdeacon of Jos Central Archdeaconry, Rev. Canon Emmanuel Nyitsse as Archdeacon of Jos South Archdeaconry and Rev. Canon Jwan B. N. Zhumbes as Archdeacon Special Duties.
Others include Rev. Canon Stanley Fube as Archdeacon of Vom Archdeaconry, Rev. Canon Olumuyiwa Ajayi as Archdeacon of Cathedral Archdeaconry and Rev. Canon Henry Okozi as Archdeacon of Bukuru Archdeaconry.
Rt. Rev Benjamin Kwashi, Bishop of Jos
On their preferment, the Bishop extolled the clerics as those who have made themselves available models in the service and ministry of the gospel.
“They have shown themselves honorable, trustworthy, willing and able to serve without counting the cost, and so we bring them before you for prayers and for support as they lead this Diocese in the next phase of our mission enterprise,’’ he said.
Reflecting on the strides of the Diocese of Jos in the past twenty five years, the diocesan said "we must thank God that Jos Diocese may not have been where it should be, but definitely we have moved forward.’’
Moving forward has brought the carving out of five more dioceses from the Old Jos diocese including Yola (1990), Makurdi (1990), Jalingo (1996), Otukpo (1996) and Lafia (1999).
Moving forward has also brought pains and gains as well. Some paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The Bishop acknowledged one of such as Bishop Adesola’s wife, who died in the `midst of huge responsibility’. The Bishop retired short after that incident.
He (Adesola) was one of the pioneer Bishops. He carried on from where Bishop Ebo stopped and he would be fondly remembered for splitting the Diocese into three in 1990, with Makurdi Diocese and Yola Diocese becoming missionary dioceses, leaving Jos with an area covering the present Plateau and Nasarawa States.
Looking ahead into the year, the Bishop stated that the focus of the clergy school, the synod and the entire ministry of Jos Diocese would be spurred on by the theme,
Walking in the Light.
His words: To be light means to preach and to teach what we believe and to live out what we preach and teach in the society. It also means that we must be honest in financial matters, in dealing with each other, regardless of sex or race or tribe for that matter.
On the relevance of the theme to the nation, he challenged believers to lead the campaign for truth and justice in the country but warned “it may cost our life; it will be lonely; it will be tough, rough and difficult, but what is our life worth now other than investing it in the eternal truth”.
By Susan Essam and Peter Onwubuariri
CONN/030105
Abuja, Jan 20, 2005 - The Anglican Diocese of Jos held its 25th anniversary at St Luke's Cathedral Jos, on January 10.
The event included the launching of the diocesan booklet containing photographs of the past and present Bishops of Jos namely The Rt. Rev Samuel Ebo (1980-1984), The Rt. Rev T.E Adesola (1985-1991) and the Rt. Benjamin Kwasi (1992- ), as well as a special Holy Eucharistic service.
Bishop Kwashi used the occasion of his sermon to announce the preferment of seven canons into the position of Archdeacons, as well as to kick-start the diocesan theme for 2005, Walking in the Light.
The preferred canons and their new areas of supervision are Rev. Canon Austin Eboh as Archdeacon of Pankshin Archdeaconry, Rev. Canon Chijioke Nlem as Archdeacon of Jos Central Archdeaconry, Rev. Canon Emmanuel Nyitsse as Archdeacon of Jos South Archdeaconry and Rev. Canon Jwan B. N. Zhumbes as Archdeacon Special Duties.
Others include Rev. Canon Stanley Fube as Archdeacon of Vom Archdeaconry, Rev. Canon Olumuyiwa Ajayi as Archdeacon of Cathedral Archdeaconry and Rev. Canon Henry Okozi as Archdeacon of Bukuru Archdeaconry.
Rt. Rev Benjamin Kwashi, Bishop of Jos
On their preferment, the Bishop extolled the clerics as those who have made themselves available models in the service and ministry of the gospel.
“They have shown themselves honorable, trustworthy, willing and able to serve without counting the cost, and so we bring them before you for prayers and for support as they lead this Diocese in the next phase of our mission enterprise,’’ he said.
Reflecting on the strides of the Diocese of Jos in the past twenty five years, the diocesan said "we must thank God that Jos Diocese may not have been where it should be, but definitely we have moved forward.’’
Moving forward has brought the carving out of five more dioceses from the Old Jos diocese including Yola (1990), Makurdi (1990), Jalingo (1996), Otukpo (1996) and Lafia (1999).
Moving forward has also brought pains and gains as well. Some paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The Bishop acknowledged one of such as Bishop Adesola’s wife, who died in the `midst of huge responsibility’. The Bishop retired short after that incident.
He (Adesola) was one of the pioneer Bishops. He carried on from where Bishop Ebo stopped and he would be fondly remembered for splitting the Diocese into three in 1990, with Makurdi Diocese and Yola Diocese becoming missionary dioceses, leaving Jos with an area covering the present Plateau and Nasarawa States.
Looking ahead into the year, the Bishop stated that the focus of the clergy school, the synod and the entire ministry of Jos Diocese would be spurred on by the theme,
Walking in the Light.
His words: To be light means to preach and to teach what we believe and to live out what we preach and teach in the society. It also means that we must be honest in financial matters, in dealing with each other, regardless of sex or race or tribe for that matter.
On the relevance of the theme to the nation, he challenged believers to lead the campaign for truth and justice in the country but warned “it may cost our life; it will be lonely; it will be tough, rough and difficult, but what is our life worth now other than investing it in the eternal truth”.
Tuesday, 4 January 2005
Church of Nigeria gets new Acting Director of Youth and Women Affairs
CONN/010105
By Peter Onwubuariri
January 4, 2005- The Revd. Canon Benjamin Idume has joined the Abuja Secretariat of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) as the new Acting Director of Youth and Women Affairs.
Until his appointment, he was Vicar of the Good Shepherd Church Port Harcourt, Rivers State in the Diocese of Niger Delta North.
Ordained in 1996, Canon Idume has been involved in youth ministry as a lay worker in addition to having served as the National Prayer Director of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (Nigeria), 1987-2001.
"The youth and women are the livewire of the Church and they constitute 70 per cent of our congregation in the Nigerian Church. One major challenge is to improve youth participation in the Anglican worship and to stir our women into committed service to Our God," Canon Idume told the Church of Nigeria News.
He is married to Joy and blessed with three children. His appointment took effect from January 1, 2005.
CONN/010105
By Peter Onwubuariri
January 4, 2005- The Revd. Canon Benjamin Idume has joined the Abuja Secretariat of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) as the new Acting Director of Youth and Women Affairs.
Until his appointment, he was Vicar of the Good Shepherd Church Port Harcourt, Rivers State in the Diocese of Niger Delta North.
Ordained in 1996, Canon Idume has been involved in youth ministry as a lay worker in addition to having served as the National Prayer Director of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (Nigeria), 1987-2001.
"The youth and women are the livewire of the Church and they constitute 70 per cent of our congregation in the Nigerian Church. One major challenge is to improve youth participation in the Anglican worship and to stir our women into committed service to Our God," Canon Idume told the Church of Nigeria News.
He is married to Joy and blessed with three children. His appointment took effect from January 1, 2005.
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