Catholic Priests to Nigerians: Pray for nation’s peace

By Olayinka Latona

TWO Catholic priests, Vicar-General, Lagos Archdiocese, Monsignor John Aniagwu and the Archdiocesan Chaplain of the Block Rosary Crusade, Rev. Fr. Andrew Abhulimen on Friday urged Nigerians to unite in prayers to overcome the current challenges facing the country.

The clerics made the call while briefing journalists on various activities to mark the centenary of Fatima Apparition scheduled for May 18-26, 2017 with the theme: “Do Whatever He Tells You”.

Monsignor Aniagwu said divine intervention and mercy of God have been sustaining the country, stating that Nigerians should not stop praying for the peace, development and growth of the nation.

“We must not give up the battle because if we do, evil will gain upper hand”, he emphasised.

On the centenary of Fatima Apparitions, Aniagwu said: “The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has proclaimed a Marian year to be observed in all the dioceses within our country. Numerous programmes have been lined up for that purpose. Here in Lagos, he said, the celebration will kick off with a novena, that is, a nine-day programme of prayers and talks in the various parishes of the Archdiocese of Lagos.

The novena will culminate in a procession on Saturday, May 27, 2017 from the National Stadium, Surulere to the Marian Shrine at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland. The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, will lead both the procession and the Holy Mass that will follow at Maryland, he added.

Throwing more light on the programme, the head of the centenary planning committee, Rev. Fr. Andrew Abhulimen urged Nigerians to intensify prayers for God’s intervention in the crisis in Nigeria and the world as a whole, stressing that what the country needed was God’s mercy and grace to move forward from its present problems.

Abhulimen who is also the Archdiocesan Chaplain of the Block Rosary Crusade added that prayers would heal Nigeria, as there was no situation that cannot be saved by God.

In his words: “Those ills that were ravaging the world that necessitated our Lady of Fatima to pray for the world are still very much around. Many souls are going to hell because few people are mak-ing reparation or praying for compassion.

“Our centenary celebration serves as a clarion call to all faithful to go back to the drawing board, praying for the conversion of souls, pray for the peace of the nation. If we sincerely pray for the peace of our nation and follow the instructions of Christ, our country will be better for it.”

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