From Julius B. Kezi, Kaduna
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Mathew Hassan Kukah, has urged Christians to sustain their Faith and hope in God, even when facing adversities.
Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah gave the charge on Saturday while delivering his homily in a Mass at the Church of Mary Immaculate (CMI) Garaje Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government of Kaduna State, before declaring open, the First Kaduna provincial Catholic Liturgical Music carnival; which he sponsored.
The Clergyman lamented that instead of keeping faith and hope in God in the midst of trials; people are discouraged, which makes them more vulnerable.
According to Bishop kukah, Christians should be more committed on preparations for times of celebrations or challenges, to show love and care to the afflicted or under privileged; Christians and Non-Christians alike; in line with God’s mandate.
He stressed that having faith and hope in God in all circumstances, particularly in times of challenges, marks out Christianity from other religions.
The Kaduna provisional Catholic Liturgical Music Carnival, with the theme “Celebrating our faith, in the midst of challenges, Bishop Kukah, the finances of the feaster said, it was meant to worship God, appreciating His graces, favours, even in trying moments of insurgencies, terrorism and economic depression globally, particularly in Nigeria, Kaduna State and Southern Kaduna.
Fielding questions from pressmen, the Bishop said the festival has both spiritual and social benefits, as God inhabits praises, the main object of event and to enable interaction, strengthening the knowledge of participants on the best way to serve and worship God.
Answering a question on how to face present security challenges in the country, especially Southern Kaduna, Bishop Kukah said people should depend on God prayerfully and do the needful by going into farming, skills acquisition for self reliance and entrepreneurial development for Job creation to fight poverty.
He said citizens should not look solely on spiritual and traditional leaders to provide them solution to security, but should employ their responsibility to engage their elected representatives, making them accountable for their mandate, instead of leaving them to do what they want.
A government that failed to protect lives and property of its citizens has failed its primary responsibility. Only faith, fervent prayers backed with fasting, hope and positive behavior will change the ugly tide, he stressed.
Reciting Biblical instances, the Clergyman said even though no one is expected to pray for an attack, however, any attack on Christianity “becomes oxygen that strengthens the spread of the Gospel and the victory of the Resurrected Jesus, over evil”.
Buttressing more on what Bishop Kukah said, the Bishop of Minna Diocese, Most Rev. Martins Igwe Uzoukwu said when the Madalla Church was bombed, the enemies’ efforts were thwarted as more people repented, went into prayers and evangelism, which resulted in the establishment of additional four parishes in the diocese.
The times, he said, is perilous and called for people to be closer to God, trusting that He will sustain their salvation and have the hope of overcoming challenges by championing the cause of truth, justice and attending to the needs of the underprivileged in the society.
Bishop Uzuokwu said the music carnival with its theme came at a most appropriate time when many people, especially the youth in Nigeria faced with so many challenges are losing hope, stressing that the carnival will help re-igniting their faith, spiritual values and resolve to continue being witness of “ Our Lord Jesus Christ the Divine Mercy Incarnate”
Earlier in a welcome address, very Rev. Ibrahim Bawa Yakubu, the Vicar General, who represented the Bishop of Kafanchan Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Danlami Bagobiri, expressed gratitude for the choice of the Diocese for the musical feaster, just at a time it was facing challenges.
Reading Daniel 3: 1 – 20 and Daniel 6:1 – 28 of the Holy Bible, which give account of Daniel, Meshach and Abednego’s persecution for refusing to worship Baal, by being thrown into a Furness of fire and Lion’s den but saved by God, because of their firm faith and hope, which resulted to the repentance and worship of God in the entire Babylonian Empire.
He believes that when people keep faith and hope in God, repent and Work in righteousness, enemies of truth, Christianity and Nigeria will be defeated, put to shame and flight.
He prayed that the carnival celebrated amidst persecution, “people’s faith in God will never waver”.
The Kafanchan Provincial Catholic Music Carnival, which lasted from 1st to 3rd December, 2016, featured rendition of songs, Chorography, drama and dances in English, Latin and Nigerian Languages.
It is expected that the 2017 edition of the festival will hold in Minna Diocese as requested by Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Martins Igwe Uzoukwu.
The Provincial Catholic Liturgical Music carnival with the slogan “sings praises unto the Lord! One heart, one mind ; carrying, “He who sings well, prays twice” as its Motto, was established in 2009 by the National Catholic Liturgical Music Commission, having a mission to promote, preserve, sustain and spread good Liturgical and inculturated Music in the catholic church in Nigeria.
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