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Church Offering Tears Abuja Catholic Church Apart
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It is no longer at ease at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Sun City Estate, Galadimawa, Abuja, as offering from church members is already tearing the church of Lord apart.
While it is the responsibility of the Finance Committee of the Church to count the money, the Parish Priest, Fr. Marcel Livinus, has allegedly taken taken over the responsibility the to the reasons best known to him.
A member of the church who pleaded anonymity due said the Parish Priest stopped the church wardens from counting the money undèr the pretext of allowing the Finance Committee committee to take over it duty.
The source said: “The church wardens are like ushers in other churches; they are the ones that collect and count the money. Then they give the record and the money to the finance committee and copy him on the total money collected.
The source said maybe the Parish Priest felt they were stealing the money, but added that since he started counting the money himself, the figures have not really changed, rather the figures are even lower.
She stated: “We were surprised, all of a sudden, he asked us to stop counting the money and no information to the finance council about this and not even the Parish Pastoral Council. He made us feel we are thieves – stealing church money. For crying out loud how much is the money? We are just rendering humanitarian service to the church and God.
“The people counting the money have just been like this. This one just came and changed everything and no one is talking about it as if it is normal. If he is the only one counting, how then can we know what comes in?. Is it not what he gives that we know.”
Asked if the issue was reported to the appropriate authority, she said they only did as the priest instructed, adding that they did not report him to the Committee or council because they did not want to be seen as having personal interest.
It was further gathered that the Parish Priest is alleged to be in a serious relationship with a married woman who attends the church.
According to a source who pleaded anonymity said the Priest in order to cover his tracks sacked more than five security men in less than one year.
The source said, “Many members of the Church that would have helped build and grow the church have all abandoned the church and moved to other churches.
“The church has become stagnant because of this. The poor handling of the Church by Livinus has resulted in the management of the estate not allocating land for the permanent structure.”
Responding to the allegations, the Head of the Parish Communication Committee, Mr. Ifeanyi Valentine, said those behind the allegations were just trying to seek attention and to be an hindrance to the peace the church currently enjoys.
He stated categorically that the allegations that the Parish Priest took over the responsibility of counting church offering was not true, saying it is not his responsibility.
Valentine said: “The Priest have lot of responsibility to run the church, rather than counting money. There is a Finance Committee, they are the one counting the offering. I think that is same thing in all churches.
“It is neither Father’s job to count offering, there is a Finance Council whose responsibility is basically Finance of the church. So, Father has never count offering and will never because it’s not his duty
“I think the person is just trying to seek attention and to be an hindrance to the peace we enjoy in the church.”
Valentine noted that while there was no suspicion of theft or allegations against the church wardens who were counting the money before, the Father only asked the appropriate committee to take over the duty.
He added that there was no truth in the allegation that he sacked the security personnel working in the church.
According to him, The security in the church currently are same set of security even before the Priest they are accusing came to the Church. It’s quite strange where all this false information are coming from.
Valentine explained that the Parish Priest was putting in so much efforts to ensure that the church get the land, saying allegations against the Priest were neither through nor genuine.
Asked if there was a clash of interest in the church, he added, “No. A big No. The church is peaceful, very peaceful, absolutely Peaceful without any clash of interest.
“Be mindful that the church is not a political ground, catholic church is not a one man church where they fight for interest.
“My candid advice to your source is that you tell him or her to stop fighting against the church of God, He or she shouldn’t disturb the peace we enjoy, we are one family of God’s People. Our Parish shouldn’t be used for his or her personal motive.”
News
Pakistan Ambassador To Nigeria Others, Pay Tribute To Martyrs, War Heroes On Defence Day
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Tolu Tosin
The Pakistan diplomats in Nigeria have joined the rest of the diplomatic missions of Pakistan across the globe to observe the annual Defence and Martyrs Day paying tribute to the nation’s heroes including the armed forces and martyrs for their unmatched sacrifices and bravery to safeguard the country.
The day we started with a 31-gun salute in the country’s capital, Islamabad, and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals, followed by prayers, wreath-laying ceremonies at the tombs of martyrs, and special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Pakistan on Friday celebrated its 59th Defense Day anniversary to commemorate the sacrifices of fallen heroes who defended the South Asian country.
For any Pakistanis, the day reflects Pakistan’s strong commitment to the defense of sovereignty as many pay tributes to the brave soldiers who thwarted the enemy’s attempts to harm Pakistan.
Speaking in Abuja at an event organized to commemorate the day, the Pakistan Ambassador to Nigeria, Retired Mag.-Gen, Sohail Khan said that the Martyred soldiers are heroes and their sacrifices and dedication cannot be forgotten.According to him, we are celebrating Defence Day to pay homage to the Armed Forces of Pakistan. I will just narrate certain facts for the information of all of you.
“Pakistan Armed Forces stands as the 5th largest standing Armed Forces in the world.
We have been the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations since the 1960s.
“To protect the motherland from internal and external aggression, members of the Armed forces have sacrificed their lives and embraced martyrdom in the Global War Against Terrorism of which Pakistan has been at the forefront since the very beginning.,
“In terms of officers vs troops causality ratio Pakistan Armed Forces are at the top having lost/offered every other 12 ranks.
“Armed forces have always responded to the call of the nation during national calamities, earthquakes, floods, etc. They have been at the forefront of every nation-building and assistance task.
“Pakistan remains an extremely responsible 7th nuclear state in the world. Well-entrenched command and control systems are also being managed by the Armed Forces of Pakistan.
“This occasion is meant to pay homage to our members of the Armed Forces for their dedication and sacrifices.’
Speaking also at the occasion, was Defence Advisor an Attaché of the Pakistani High Commission in Nigeria, Col. Mushtag Kamran Col. Kamran Mushtaq expressed that, the 6th of September signifies the unflinching resolve, unity, and sense of sacrifice to defend the motherland at all cost.
“It is also to pay homage to those sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom and sovereignty.
“Their actions continue to resonate urging us to strive for a better tomorrow
“Following the legacy of our Great Heroes in unison with the people of Pakistan we remain ever-ready and fully determined to squarely meet all external challenges to protect our ideological and geographical boundaries.
“Today, we bow our heads in reverence and gratitude for martyrs, who have the freedom that engraved their legacy in the anal of history, reminding us of the freedom that we cherish
“Let’s renew our pledge that following the footsteps of our martyrs, we will leave no stone unturned for the defense of our Motherland and we will always work, towards making Pakistan e great country.” He pledged
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