THE NEW POPE, POPE FRANCIS I, SJ.

MEET THE NEW POPE, FRANCIS I (CARDINAL JORGE MARIO BERGOGLIO, S.J.), THE 265th POPE AFTER ST. PETER

POPE FRANCIS I, was until his election this evening as the 265th Successor of Saint Peter, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J. He was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina.

Born:  December 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires.

He studied philosophy at the Colegio Máximo San José and taught literature and psychology at the Colegio de la Inmaculada in Santa Fe, and the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires.

He was ordained a Jesuit priest on December 13, 1969, while studying theology at the Theological Faculty of San Miguel. 

He was novice master and theology lecturer in San Miguel.

He was Provincial for Argentina from 1973 to 1979.

He served as the Rector of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of San Miguel from 1980 to 1986.

He did his doctorate in Germany, and served as a confessor and spiritual director in Córdoba.

He was appointed the titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires on 20 May 1992.

He was consecrated Bishop on June 27, 1992.

He was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires on 3 June 1997.

He succeeded Cardinal Antonio Quarracino on February 28, 1998.

He was also Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who lack an Ordinary of their own rite.

He became Adjunct Relator General of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October 2001.

He became President of the Bishops' Conference of Argentina from November 8, 2005 to November 8, 2011.

He was created and proclaimed Cardinal by the Blessed John Paul II on February 21, 2001, of the Title of St. Robert Bellarmine.

He is a member of the following Congregations:

Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments; Congregation for the Clergy; 

Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; 

Congregation for the Pontifical Council for the Family; 

Pontifical Commission for Latin America. 

He participated in the 2005 papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, gaining the second-highest total vote in several rounds of voting.

With his election this evening, he has become the first non-European and first Jesuit Pope.

May God who has begun this good work in him bring it to a glorious end, Amen.

PAPAL RESIGNATION AND THE CANONICAL PROVISIONS

The surprise announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he will resign his office on February 28^th has raised many questions about the laws surrounding the resignation of a Pope. There is no doubt he can do so: Canon 332 §2 of the Code of Canon Law states: “If it happens that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that the resignation is made freely and properly manifested but not that it is accepted by anyone.”

But the Code does not elaborate. Before now, there was no need. Church law leaves many questions unanswered.
“We lack a law, so far, on the status of a former pope, of someone who resigned the papacy,” said Msgr. David-Maria Jaeger, OFM, a professor of canon law at Rome’s Pontifical University Antonianum. “It is possible either Benedict XVI in the next few days, or his successor, will make such a law, because many questions must be asked: What is the proper title by which to address a former pope? What are his immunities and prerogatives? There is a question of his international standing. All of this has to be settled…There was never any need to deal with it.” It was announced by the Holy See Press Office that Pope Benedict XVI will not participate in the conclave to elect his successor. The ability of a Pope to do so has been debated for generations, but it had always previously been an academic point. In this case, too, there is no law.

“The idea that a former pope would participate in the conclave would be premised on a determination that a pope who resigned returns to being a Cardinal,” explained Msgr. Jaeger. “Far be it for me to express an opinion on this occasion, except to say that it is not obvious!”
The canonist said the Pope’s decision not to participate was “the most discreet and appropriate course,” and said other decisions on the many remaining unclear questions will likely be announced in the coming days.  “We are in uncharted waters, although we can be absolutely confident that Pope Benedict XVI will know how to chart them for us,” Msgr. Jaeger said. “And, of course, for himself.”

<http://www.news.va/en/news/church-law-surrounding-papal-resignation-uncharted

POPE BENEDICT XVI TO RESIGN ON FEBRUARY 28, 2013.

POPE BENEDICT XVI announced on Monday February 11, 2013 that he will resign at the end of February because he no longer has the strength to effectively continue with the duties of his office, news services reported.

He is to become the first head of the Catholic Church to resign since after Pope Gregory XII who resigned in 1415 to end the Western Schism, after 9 years in office. BENEDICT XVI will be 86 years on April 16, 2013. He is retiring at the age of 85 after having been elected in April 2005 to succeed Pope John Paul II. He was the oldest man named to the papacy in almost 300 years. The Vatican said his departure would leave the post temporarily vacant.

Part of his resignation message reads:

 "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.

"I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

"However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."

Pope Benedict XVI, a German, was born as Joseph Aloysius Ratzinger. He is the 265th Pope and head of the Catholic Church. Rumors that the Holy Father would resign his office had been common in the early years of his pontificate.

Catholic cardinals will now convene in Rome in order to choose a new pope.

RE : THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA DARES THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TO PULL OUT OF THE ORGANIZATION

For me, if the Nigerian factor would make it possible, Christianity in Nigeria needs a body or government agency that would be duly constituted and empowered to regulate the registration, floating, activities and credentials of the practitioners of these Private Gospel Enterprises faking Christianity more than it needs C. A. N.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (C.A.N.) is an Ecumenical body aimed at, or better put, attempting to bridge the gap between the Church and the churches in Nigeria. The gap between Catholicism and Protestantism may have been manageable if not for Pentecostalism, which is a world and religion of its own. If only Pentecostal Gospel Practitioners would concentrate on their trade union, the Pentecostal Fellowship Of Nigeria (P.F.N) and leave C.A.N alone. This is because, their worldview and mission vis-à-vis Christianity,  and those of Catholicism and mainline Protestantism are truly worlds apart. For instance, while all other denominations or member churches have their single representatives (e.g. Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, etc.), theirs is a different case. Every Pentecostal member represents his or her own private religious kingdom, operated within his or her own private doctrines and ideologies, under nobody's supervision, but all sharing more or less, common denominators as motives.

One of the funniest choices I made as a job seeker was accepting to lecture in three GLORIFIED SUNDAY-SCHOOL CENTERS, a.k.a., PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTES. I had to descend so low (even without a clear pay package) because, it was only better than going Yahoo! But it was also an opportunity to de-worm some of the pastors and General Overseer students who were open to learning, of their Pentecostal world view vis-à-vis Christianity.

Talking about the biblical or non-biblical aspects of this cosmo-vision in question is just dealing with an aspect of it. What is Christian or biblical about this movement and the practitioners aside redefinition and misappropriation of Christian and biblical concepts to suite personal proselytizing ideologies and sales-talks? If this is not only non-biblical, but at least in consonance with the universal first principles of human action (the good must be done and evil avoided), it would have been manageable. Show me a Pentecostal and his or her pastor or General Overseer, and I will show you a customer being deceived and taken undue advantage of, by a fake practitioner.

The noise about the Catholic Church damning C. A. N is simply because, operating so closely with the Catholic Church boosts the ego and credentials of those Private Gospel Entrepreneurs.

For me, if the Nigerian factor would make it possible, Christianity in Nigeria needs a body or government agency that would be duly constituted and empowered to regulate the registration, floating, activities and credentials of the practitioners of these Private Gospel Enterprises faking Christianity more than it needs C. A. N.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/01/can-dares-catholic-church-describes-them-as-appendage-of-pdp/#comment-776617191

ADIEU, REV. FR. DR. VINCENT CHINWEM ANUFORO, RCJ (1960 –2013).

Rev. Fr. Dr. Vincent Chinwem Anuforo (July 18, 1960 – Jan 1, 2013) was an indigenous Catholic priest of Ikeduru LGA., Imo State in the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri. He was ordained for the Congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus in Italy. He joined the congregation in Rome in 1992, made his first profession in 1995, final profession in 1999, and was ordained a Catholic Priest in Rome in 2000.

Fr. Anuforo had a Doctorate Degree in Moral Theology, and was in the final year of his Licentiate in Philosophy in the Pontificias Università Urbaniana Roma, before his death. Apart from his studies and pastoral ministry in Rome, he was the Founder and Spiritual Director of the Mission of Solidarity and Fraternity, as well as the Spiritual Director of Amici dei Santi Angeli (the Mission of the Holy Angels).

His health problem took an unanticipated left-turn on November 30, 2012. And on January 1, 2013, Fr. Vin gave up the ghost in Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Rome, Italy.

Eternal rest grant to him oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him. May his soul and all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen.

    Adieu Dee Chinwe, ọ wụ mkpa anyị jiri hụ ụwa a!

THE EPISCOPAL ORDINATION OF MOST REV. DR. FORTUNATUS NWACHUKWU (PICTURES)

On November 12, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Most Rev. Dr. Fortunatus Nwachukwu (his former Head of Protocols) as the Titular Archbishop of Aquaviva and at the same time the Apostolic Nuncio to Nicaragua. On January 6, 2013 (the Feast of Epiphany of our Lord) at   St. Peter’s Basilica Rome, he was ordained an Archbishop by His Holiness alongside Nicolas Thevenin (Apostolic Nuncio to Guatemala), Georg Ganswein (prefect of the papal household and the Pope’s personal Secretary), and Angelo Zani (the new Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education). It was a very colourful ceremony as can be seen from some selected pictures below.

His Grace, Most Rev Dr. Fortunatus Nwachukwu.

Procession before the Mass.

Introductory Rites; the Pope.

First Reading.

During the Gospel Reading.

Homily by the Pope.

Litany of the Saints.

Litany of the Saints.
Presentation of Candidate

Laying of Hands & Prayer of Ordination.

Anointing of the Head...

Receiving the Ring, the Seal of Fidelity.

Investiture: the Skullcap.

Investiture: the Miter, Splendor of Holiness.

Investiture: the Crosier, the Sign of Pastoral Office.

Behold the New Archbishop, His Grace, Most Rev Dr. Fortunatus Nwachukwu.

Kiss of Peace with the Pope. 

Kiss of Peace with the Cardinals and other Archbishops.

Ecce Homo, Procession after the Mass.

Ecce Sarcedos Magnus.

 Lee Nnukwu Ukochukwu. Behold the High Priest.

Vote of Thanks after the Reception.

SOME HEALTH BENEFITS OF GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE)

GINGER (Botanical name: ZINGIBER OFFICINALE)

GINGER (Botanical name: ZINGIBER OFFICINALE) is an important cash crop grown mainly in India, but also in other parts of the world for its aromatic rhizomes. Apart from its economic uses, it also has it also has rich health benefits in the following areas:

• OVARIAN CANCER TREATMENT: Ginger may be a powerful weapon in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Research on cancer shows that ginger powder induces cell death in all ovarian cancer cells to which it was applied.
• COLON CANCER PREVENTION: Research has also proved that ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells.
• MORNING SICKNESS: A review of several studies has concluded that ginger is just as effective as vitamin B6 in the treatment of morning sickness.
• MOTION SICKNESS REMEDY: Ginger has been shown to be an effective remedy for the nausea associated with motion sickness.
• PAIN AND INFLAMMATION: One study showed that ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful natural painkiller.
• HEARTBURN: Ginger has long been used as a natural heartburn remedy. It is most often taken in the form of tea for this purpose.
• COLD AND FLU: Ginger has long been used as a natural treatment for colds and the flu. Many people also find ginger to be helpful in the case of stomach flus or food poisoning, which is not surprising given the positive effects ginger has upon the digestive tract.
• MIGRAINE: Research has shown that ginger may provide migraine relief due to its ability to stop prostaglandins from causing pain and inflammation in blood vessels.
• MENSTRUAL CRAMP: In Chinese medicine, ginger tea with brown sugar is used in the treatment of menstrual cramps.
• DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY: A study done on diabetic rats found that those rats given ginger had a reduced incidence of diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage).

< General Knowledge

INVITATION TO THE EPISCOPAL ORDINATION & THANKSGIVING CEREMONIES OF MOST REV. DR. FORTUNATUS NWACHUKWU

His Holiness

Pope Benedict XVI

will confer Episcopal Ordination upon

the Most Reverend Fortunatus Nwachukwu

Titular Archbishop-elect of Aquaviva, &

Apostolic Nuncio in Nicaragua

*

Venue: Saint Peter’s Basilica Rome, Italy

Date: Sunday 6 January, 2013

(the Solemnity of the Epiphany)

Time: 9:00 am

*

The newly ordained Archbishop will celebrate

a Mass of Thanksgiving

*

@ Christ the King Cathedral Aba, Nigeria

on Saturday 19 January, 2013 

by 10:00 am

&

@ St Benedict’s Church Ntigha, Abia State

on Sunday 20 January, 2013 

by 10:00 am

*

The Archbishop-elect is grateful to all

who take part in these celebrations

and who accompany him in their prayers.

RE: PASTOR OYAKHILOME EXPLODES AGAIN! “SMOKING IS GOOD”

Often times due to ignorance, lack of the requisite education, seeking cheep attention and popularity through radicalism, etc., most private gospel entrepreneurs lose sight of the fact that many people erroneously look up to then in good faith as authorities in what they roll out as the word of God. And by making certain careless statements or drawing some radical and ambiguous conclusions, they intentionally or unintentionally lead their fans  away from God, instead of leading them to Him, which they claim to be doing. 

But a good theological education which is prerequisite for becoming a minister of the gospel should imply the knowledge of the concept of VIRTUE. Simply put, a Virtue is a good habit, which seeks to perfect the human agent, and which cannot be put to a bad use. TEMPERANCE, a.k.a., the righteous habit, is one of the four Cardinal Virtues. It makes one to govern the natural appetite for pleasures of the body in accordance with reason. It is the virtue which moderates concupiscence, the yearning for pleasure and delights which most powerfully attract the human heart. Temperance has as its subordinate virtues, ABSTINENCE, CHASTITY and MODESTY. Abstinence moderates the consumption of food and drink. The measure of this self-restraint is not constant, but varies according to individuals, and for different ends in view. The vices opposed to abstinence are GLUTTONY and DRUNKENNESS. 

God created everything good, to the glory of his name and for the happiness of man. But whether the Bible explicitly or implicitly condemns or approves the consumption of any substance, God has also given man the ability to rationally decipher what is good and evil, as well as the difference between moderation and excess. Thus, any extent of enjoyment or consumption of any substance that temporarily deprives the human agent of the rational ability to choose between good and evil contradicts the virtue of abstinence. And the vices of drunkenness (intoxication) and gluttony which are opposed to the virtue of abstinence are no less sinful.

< http://www.naijaonpoint.com/pastor-oyakhilome-explodes-again-smoking-is-good-fellow-pastors-react/

7 DANGEROUS & UNHEALTHY HABITS AFTER MEALS

• SMOKING: Experiments from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher). 
• EATING FRUITS: Eating fruits Immediately after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruits 1 -2 hours after meal or 1 hour before meal. 
• DRINKING TEA: Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the protein content in the food we consume to be hundred thus difficult to digest. 
• LOOSENING YOUR BELT: Loosening the belt after meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted and blocked. 

• BATHING: Bathing after meal will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs and body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease, this will weaken the digestive system in our stomach. 
• TAKING A WALK: People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake. 
• SLEEPING IMMEDIATELY: The food we intake will not be to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric and infection in our intestine.

       < I Love Medical Profession