Angelus Blog

Photo credit: freepik.com In Africa, particularly in Nigeria, the color black is often negatively associated with witchcraft. Despite black symbolizing power, authority, and elegance, many Nigerians—especially in rural areas—frequently label elderly, dark-skinned women as witches. This perception is unjust and harmful. It is rare to find a fair-skinned woman suspected or accused of witchcraft in Africa. This is largely because fair complexions are often associated with innocence and harmlessness. I recall an incident years ago when a spirit was consulted to identify the witch or wizard responsible for the death of a two-month-old baby boy. To the surprise of many, a fair-skinned woman was accused of being behind the tragedy. In many African cultures, colors carry profound symbolic meanings connected to nature, spirituality, and societal values. The symbolism of black and white is far more complex than a simple good-versus-evil contrast often seen in Western cultures. Black frequently r...

https://fb.watch/z34DrR81HB/?mibextid=Nif5oz Watch the Good Friday Passion Play performed at St. Peter's Parish Ota Ogun State Abeokuta Diocese .

Organizations and individuals establish businesses in environments they believe will foster growth, sustainability, and progress. While operating in these locations, these entities have the opportunity to contribute positively to the social and economic well-being of the surrounding communities. This practice is known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), also referred to as Corporate Impact. In several African countries, particularly Nigeria, the contributions of many organizations to the economic and social development of their host communities often fall short of local expectations. This article highlights some critical areas that have been largely neglected, including road maintenance, rural and urban electrification, environmental sanitation, and scholarships for indigent students. Road Maintenance : Feeder roads, which organizations frequently use to transport raw materials and finished goods, often suffer from poor maintenance. Although it is not the direct responsibility...

Cure-all Drugs :  The concept of cure-all drugs, also known as panaceas, refers to medicines that claim to heal every human ailment—a universal solution to all health problems. This idea traces back to Greek mythology, where Panacea, the daughter of Asclepius and Epione, was believed to possess a potion capable of healing the sick. This myth gave rise to the medical notion of a panacea. Figuratively, the term "panacea" is used to describe something believed—often mistakenly—to solve all problems or cure a wide range of illnesses. According to the Collins Dictionary, a panacea is “something that is believed, usually wrongly, to be able to solve all the problems someone or something has, or to cure a wide range of illnesses.” Given these definitions, one might wonder if there truly exists a single drug capable of curing all ailments. If such a drug exists, does it appear in modern pharmaceutical medicine? The answer is almost certainly no. Unfortunately, in many parts of Africa...

The growing divide between Northern and Southern Nigeria is fueled by escalating tensions rooted in agricultural conflicts involving individuals and groups across the country. This dangerous trend must be halted to preserve the fragile peace that has existed among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups since independence in 1960. Cattle rearing, a significant aspect of animal husbandry, is predominantly practiced by peasant farmers and businesspeople in Northern Nigeria. While cattle rearing occurs in other regions, the scale of the trade is far greater in the North. The Fulani nomads, primarily among the Hausa, dominate this sector, moving their herds across the country in search of quality grazing land. Unfortunately, as these animals roam, they often stray into farmlands, consuming and destroying crops. This destruction has frequently sparked violent clashes between farmers and herdsmen, sometimes resulting in fatalities among those directly or indirectly involved. Some have proposed desig...

A traditional African herbalist preparing remedies with herbs, gourds, and symbolic artifacts in a vibrant cultural setting. In a desperate search for fast solutions to predominantly financial problems, many individuals turn from one witch doctor to another. Each promises an immediate and lasting remedy, despite the clear absence of any spiritual cause for their troubles. Among the various practitioners, some Voodoo priests offer a glimmer of hope, enticing the desperate with assurances of relief. During these consultations, clients are often required to provide animals such as goats, rams, fowls, or tortoises for sacrifice to the witch doctor’s gods. These offerings are typically presented as blood sacrifices to idols—wooden or metal figures adorned with red, black, or white cloth, depending on the setting where the artifact is kept. More often than not, these visits lead the unsuspecting and gullible into a systematic and ignorant initiation into the occult world of witch doctors. Dr...

Photo: Priest Giving Holy Communion  WHY DOES THE CATHOLIC CHURCH RESTRICT HOLY COMMUNION? Amara Blessing Nwosu once asked: “Why does the Roman Catholic Church stop non-Catholics from partaking in Holy Communion? My father is a Pentecostal pastor, and from childhood till now, I have never heard him stop non-Pentecostals from receiving communion. The only warning he gives is against taking it without first confessing your sins and making peace with God. Is the Catholic Church suggesting that the body of Christ is divided? Did Christ shed His blood for Catholics alone? Are non-Catholics all going to hell?” (Facebook, January 24, 2013). The Catholic Church teaches that Holy Communion is not simply a symbolic act but the actual reception of the Body and Blood of Christ. Because of this, the Church sets specific conditions for who may receive it: - Non-Catholics and even baptized Catholics who have not yet made their First Holy Communion or who are not in a state of grace are not permi...

Should The Catholic Church Accept Women Into Priesthood? The above question came up recently in a forum and this is my opinion. No. Women have their defined roles in the Church. God created man for specific functions while women are designed for particular roles. If you say ‘there is no man or woman in Christ’, you are invariably saying that Adam is the same thing as Eve. Women can help in the distribution of holy Communion and in some parish administration duties. Note that women are CONSECRATED and not ORDAINED in the Roman Catholic Church. This is not a question of gender inequality; it is about following standard procedures – a fair division of Labour if you like. Consider this fact for instance; can a woman impregnate herself? No. Hence, some one else - a man has to undertake that role of impregnating a woman. In the same way, a man cannot and does not have the capacity to carry pregnancy. In this case, man plays a defined role, while woman carries out her own function. The...

The focus of this piece is the lingering Boko Haram crisis in the Northern part of Nigeria. The crisis, which started like a child's play has consumed millions of people, both Nigerians and none Nigerians alike. . Up till now, no one can say for sure, the originator of this deadly group, which has over time, built connections across the country. Abubakar Shekau, who was touted to be the commander of the terrorist group has reportedly died and resurrected several times. The real leader of the group remains an enigma up till this day. The Nigerian government and other African countries have spent huge resources, both human and material to fight this scourge, yet, it remains a festering wound, which keeps inflicting excruciating pain on the victim.  The big question then is: what do these people want; what are  their grievances? How can the country assuage their yearnings and  ensure that they lay down their arms genuinely and do not  go back to their old ways? Well, pe...

The bible tells us that when Jesus commissioned the twelve apostles, he gave them the foremost task of preaching the Good News to everyone irrespective of religious, social or economic affiliation. The aim of this evangelical duty was to ensure the salvation of humanity. This onerous task that was hung on the shoulders of the apostles several centuries ago is still far from being accomplished till this day. Hence, many people, particularly here in Nigeria have offered to help carry out this herculean task. In this article, we shall discuss the quality of people involved in this business and the rationale behind it. As a matter of fact,  it is not uncommon these days to find people in different categories of employment such as teachers, electricians, peasant farmers, masons, carpenters, etc., abandoning their jobs to embrace church business in the name of being called to Jesus’ service. Some of them claim to have received the signal in a dream while others will not hesitate to tell ...