bomb blast in nigeria

Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest countries has witnessed three bomb blast in less than 4 month. on Friday, October 1 Nigeria’s Independence Day there were two bomb blast in which people lost their lives.

There was news of another bomb blast in Jos on the 24th of December 2010, Christmas eve was a shock to everybody. As was reported there were casualties. A group named Mansoorah claimed to be responsible for the bombing of 24th night. They even made this publicly by punishing a website with the address http://www.mansoorah.net/sb_attacks.php .

On the 31st night, Nigeria’s capital Abuja was rocked again by a deadly explosion. According to www.saharareporters.com, The explosion happened at the crowded “Mammy” market attached to the Abacha Barracks in the Asokoro area of Abuja. Several eyewitnesses said the blast has claimed close to 100 lives and wounded scores more. It was also reported that many of the casualties were soldiers and their family members doing their last minute shopping for the New Year.

Strange happenings in Nigeria……… we pray for Nigeria in 2011

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new year around the world by Cnn

new year around the world by Cnn



URBI ET ORBI - Christmas 2010

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Papal Year in 2010

There will be many significant moments for the catholic church next year. Here are some of the highlights:

In March, "Jesus of Nazareth, Part Two, Holy Week: From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection" is scheduled to be released by Ignatius Press. This will be one that the secular press will not be as likely to subject to controversy.

On the eve of Palm Sunday, Benedict XVI will turn 84; three days later, he will mark the sixth anniversary of the start of his papacy.

Next year and beyond, the Pope will continue to elaborate more on his teachings on sacred Scripture from "Verbum Domini."

And regarding the New Evangelization, that is certainly a topic which will present itself in August. Benedict XVI will head to Madrid for the 26th World Youth Day, a day he anticipates "with great joy." Likely the biggest "event" on the Catholic Church's 2011 agenda, Spain will then receive the Pontiff for the second time in 10 months.
The pope will return to Africa. Only this time, he will be visiting the West African country-Benin from 18- 20 November, 2011. He will visit Croatia and his homeland of Germany as well.

The biggest headline-maker for secular news coverage of the Church in 2011 may again be the sex abuse scandals. As the Church in Europe begins its process of healing, the coming tide of litigation may exact a heavy toll. However, Catholics in Europe have strong reason to hope as their bishops have the advantage of looking to the successful example of the U.S. Church in how to respond to this very crisis to ensure the safety of children. Data showing virtual eradication of clerical abuse in the United States substantiate this comment from Father Thomas Brundage, JLC, former canonical judge for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee: "The Catholic Church is probably the safest place for children at this point in history."

But other more positive headlines may include developments in the Vatican visitation of American religious communities, the build-up to the new translation of the Roman Missal, and perhaps another encyclical. Also, news has been being reported with greater frequency of Anglican bishops and faithful coming into full communion with the Catholic Church. Especially with the increasing ecclesiastical implementation of 2009's "Anglicanorum Coetibus," such headlines should be a common thread for the coming year.

Regardless of the headlines, the message of the Pontiff to the youth of the Church will echo in the hearts of all Catholics this year. "Do not be discouraged," he proclaimed in August to those he hopes to see in Spain. Benedict XVI our shepherd will carry the same enduring and calm confidence as he carries the Church into the New Year.

We have much reason for hope especially as the pope is visiting Benin which is a stone throw from Nigeria

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Papal Year in 2010

Hi all ….. hope you are all enjoying this season?

We’ve come to the end of the new. World organizations and cooperate businesses are reviewing the year 2010. Kevin M. Clarke has reviewed the papal year for 2010. Here is the big news in the catholic world for 2010. I hope you enjoy this…..

Benedict XVI has faced his share of troubles, but has endured daunting challenges with remarkable resiliency. He enters the New Year perhaps all the stronger for his battles.
The Pope started his journey in Malta, an island upon which the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked; Portugal, where the Holy Father celebrated Mass on the anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady; Cyprus, where the Pope presented a special document ahead of the special synod of bishops on the Middle East; the United Kingdom, where the Pope beatified John Henry Cardinal Newman; and Spain, where the Holy Father himself made pilgrimage in to the "House of St. James".

The Church received six new saints in October. Australia received her first saint in Mary MacKillop, a nun who gave her life to the education of the nation's poor. Canada also received St. André Bessette of the Congregation of the Holy Cross; a simple brother known for his miraculous cures and deep mysticism and Blessed Newman was elevated to the ranks of the beatified in U.K
Documents and teachings

A new Council for the New Evangelization in the Roman Curia was created in September, That same month, the release of the apostolic exhortation "Verbum Domini" marked a significant moment in the Church's teaching on sacred Scripture and its role in the Church. "Verbum Domini" will become standard reading alongside Vatican II's "Dei Verbum" in classes of sacred Scripture in colleges and seminaries around the world for years to come. (If you are in the seminary the course is called VATICAN II)
Controversies and battles

2010 was not without its share of controversial stories. The sex abuse scandals continued to plague the Church, particularly in Ireland, leading to a type of "persecution" from within and giving the enemies of the Church plenty of room to attack. Nonetheless, the Pope met the sorrowful revelations with words of comfort for victims and multiple apologies on the one hand and forthright words of accountability on behalf of the Church on the other.

Media attacks upon the Pope reached its highest point in March, when the New York Times -- in bringing forward the case of Father Lawrence Murphy of Milwaukee -- thought they had unveiled the smoking gun that would finally link Cardinal Ratzinger with the sexual abuse scandals. Yet, despite the lengths the Times took to smear the Pope's name and disgrace the Church, no direct link to Cardinal Ratzinger could be established. Rather, Catholic commentators thoroughly exposed the errors and sloppiness of the Times' coverage.

The sad irony in the media attacks were noted by Archbishop Timothy Dolan during Holy Week at St. Patrick's Cathedral: "No one has been more vigorous in cleansing the Church of the effects of this sickening sin than the man we now call Benedict XVI."

In November, the Pope sparred with the leadership of communist China over the illegal ordination of a bishop. The Vatican and China had advanced in their relations in recent years, despite the lack of religious and civil rights for the country's inhabitants. But the new developments strained relations. (I WILL WRITE MORE ON THIS NEXT YEAR ; THE CATHOLIC CHURCH LOYAL TO ROME IN CHINA AND THAT ROYAL TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT)

Finally, the biggest news for me is the issue of condom use in Africa. ahead of the release of Light of the World (published by Ignatius Press), journalist Peter Seewald recounts an interview with the Pope, L'Osservatore Romano publish some comments from the Pope on the morality of condom use by male prostitutes in Africa. It was a big hit… to be honest, I have little to say here as this concern core catholic doctrine of sexual morality and the moral evil of contraception.

Following the regrettable episode, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith this Wednesday clarified that "the Holy Father was talking neither about conjugal morality nor about the moral norm concerning contraception," but rather about "the completely different case of prostitution."

originally review by Kevin M. Clarke from zenith.org.

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Benedict XVI's Christmas Message

"May the Birth of the Savior Open Horizons of Lasting Peace"

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican translation of Benedict XVI's Christmas message, which he gave today at noon from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, and before he imparted his traditional blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world).

Verbum caro factum est" – "The Word became flesh" (Jn 1:14).

Dear brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the world, I joyfully proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; he came to dwell among us. God is not distant: he is "Emmanuel", God-with-us. He is no stranger: he has a face, the face of Jesus.

This message is ever new, ever surprising, for it surpasses even our most daring hope. First of all, because it is not merely a proclamation: it is an event, a happening, which credible witnesses saw, heard and touched in the person of Jesus of Nazareth! Being in his presence, observing his works and hearing his words, they recognized in Jesus the Messiah; and seeing him risen, after his crucifixion, they were certain that he was true man and true God, the only-begotten Son come from the Father, full of grace and truth (cf. Jn 1:14).

"The Word became flesh". Before this revelation we once more wonder: how can this be? The Word and the flesh are mutually opposed realities; how can the eternal and almighty Word become a frail and mortal man? There is only one answer: Love. Those who love desire to share with the beloved, they want to be one with the beloved, and Sacred Scripture shows us the great love story of God for his people which culminated in Jesus Christ.

God in fact does not change: he is faithful to himself. He who created the world is the same one who called Abraham and revealed his name to Moses: "I am who I am … the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … a God merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (cf. Ex 3:14-15; 34:6). God does not change; he is Love, ever and always. In himself he is communion, unity in Trinity, and all his words and works are directed to communion. The Incarnation is the culmination of creation. When Jesus, the Son of God incarnate, was formed in the womb of Mary by the will of the Father and the working of the Holy Spirit, creation reached its high point. The ordering principle of the universe, the Logos, began to exist in the world, in a certain time and space.

"The Word became flesh". The light of this truth is revealed to those who receive it in faith, for it is a mystery of love. Only those who are open to love are enveloped in the light of Christmas. So it was on that night in Bethlehem, and so it is today. The Incarnation of the Son of God is an event which occurred within history, while at the same time transcending history. In the night of the world a new light was kindled, one which lets itself be seen by the simple eyes of faith, by the meek and humble hearts of those who await the Saviour. If the truth were a mere mathematical formula, in some sense it would impose itself by its own power. But if Truth is Love, it calls for faith, for the "yes" of our hearts.

And what do our hearts, in effect, seek, if not a Truth which is also Love? Children seek it with their questions, so disarming and stimulating; young people seek it in their eagerness to discover the deepest meaning of their life; adults seek it in order to guide and sustain their commitments in the family and the workplace; the elderly seek it in order to grant completion to their earthly existence.

"The Word became flesh". The proclamation of Christmas is also a light for all peoples, for the collective journey of humanity. "Emmanuel", God-with-us, has come as King of justice and peace. We know that his Kingdom is not of this world, and yet it is more important than all the kingdoms of this world. It is like the leaven of humanity: were it lacking, the energy to work for true development would flag: the impulse to work together for the common good, in the disinterested service of our neighbour, in the peaceful struggle for justice. Belief in the God who desired to share in our history constantly encourages us in our own commitment to that history, for all its contradictions. It is a source of hope for everyone whose dignity is offended and violated, since the one born in Bethlehem came to set every man and woman free from the source of all enslavement.

May the light of Christmas shine forth anew in the Land where Jesus was born, and inspire Israelis and Palestinians to strive for a just and peaceful coexistence. May the comforting message of the coming of Emmanuel ease the pain and bring consolation amid their trials to the beloved Christian communities in Iraq and throughout the Middle East; may it bring them comfort and hope for the future and bring the leaders of nations to show them effective solidarity. May it also be so for those in Haiti who still suffer in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and the recent cholera epidemic. May the same hold true not only for those in Colombia and Venezuela, but also in Guatemala and Costa Rica, who recently suffered natural disasters.

May the birth of the Savior open horizons of lasting peace and authentic progress for the peoples of Somalia, Darfur and Côte d’Ivoire; may it promote political and social stability in Madagascar; may it bring security and respect for human rights in Afghanistan and in Pakistan; may it encourage dialogue between Nicaragua and Costa Rica; and may it advance reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.

May the birth of the Savior strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the Church in mainland China, that they may not lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his Church, may keep alive the flame of hope. May the love of "God-with-us" grant perseverance to all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for the religious freedom of all.

Dear brothers and sisters, "the Word became flesh"; he came to dwell among us; he is Emmanuel, the God who became close to us. Together let us contemplate this great mystery of love; let our hearts be filled with the light which shines in the stable of Bethlehem!

To everyone, a Merry Christmas!

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