OPINION - Blogs

In 1300 the papacy suffered two major setbacks: the era of “antipopes” and the “Babylonian Captivity”.  In 1305 through influence of king Philip of France, a French archbishop was elected and crowned at Lyon as Pope Clement V. Clement moved the papal court from Rome to Avigon in 1309.  The papacy remained in France during the reign of seven Popes, and this greatly reduced the prestige of the papacy.  This period was known as “Babylonian Captivity&r...

The greatest institution in the entire world is the Catholic Church. Its greatness often piques the interest of many people, as it has consistently served as the moral compass of the world. Whenever issues concerning morality and global order arise, the world looks to the Catholic Church for guidance, acknowledging its perspective as an embodiment of heavenly wisdom. 

This is not surprising considering that its founder, Jesus Christ, promised to remain with the Church until the...

The truth is that nobody knows for sure the exact day that Jesus Christ was born.  The choice of December 25 is symbolic.  Pope Julius I chose that day in the 4th century as a subtle way of blighting pagan celebration of Saturnalia in the bud.  This has been a consistent feature of Christianity and the logic is simple: by superimposing Christian celebrations on pagan own, especially in the infancy of Christianity, the influence of paganism waned.  Even till now, mo...

As a young seminarian in 1985, our CRK teacher and Rector, Fr. Joseph Nwanna, challenged us to name the term used to refer to the three wise men with the offer of money for the person who would get it right. None of us succeeded. Fr. Joseph then informed us: The Magi.

In 2010, someone came to my office and introduced himself as Caspar. He mentioned that the name might be unfamiliar, as it is rare. He was surprised when I told him that Caspar was one of the wise men who visited Jesus...

Many Nigerians share the common belief that January is the toughest and longest month. Over the years, people have frequently lamented about the challenges and difficulties associated with the month of January.

However, according to the Gregorian calendar, there are six months with 31 days, like January; they are March, May, July, August, October, and December.

So why do Nigerians describe January as the longest month? Perhaps due to the financial strain c...

The historicity of certain biblical figures, like Job and Jonah, remains a theological question that has fueled advanced criticisms of the Bible. However, that's not our focus today.

In his typically impassioned sermons, like today's, Fr. Maximus Okonkwo has referred to Jonah as a fictional character. The historicity of Jonah is a debated wonder of history; it's a topic about which we can believe, not believe, or debate but cannot definitively answer or know. History is...

In the wake of the controversial video released by a group of skit makers alleging government-led demolition activities in Igbo Land particularly Enugu State, a deeper and more factual analysis reveals the government's earnest efforts to protect investors from the rampant illegal land sales in Enugu State. 

This situation not only underscores government's commitment to law and order but also exposes the deceitful nature of the video. The public should view the skit make...

Famous British statesman Edmund Burke was on marble to have said: "the day we tolerate and overlook evil is the day we betray our own humanity." Today, this quote is unfortunately being fulfilled in Enugu, as the government suffers vilification of the 'masses' in its effort to make the state safe for the citizenry.

The popular skit maker monikered "Untouchable" has come out to "touch" the holy grail of public truth, but instead of cautioning him...

One is more notorious, wicked, unforgiving, even when no wrong has been done to him. He is clever, manipulative, and knows how to ride his gullible followers like a bicycle.

The other day, he stirred up E with a saying that went viral. In his characteristic wickedness, he indirectly refers to E every time he opens his mouth. He is deadly and does not give his prey a second to breathe. Without a shred of respect, his bishop remains his greatest victim!

In the present war wi...

Those who bear the name Valentine dread the month of February like a plague. Besides close friends who always demand that you celebrate your name in grand style, most confront you with all manner of questions bordering on the concept that your name is supposed to embody. Thus, you are asked whether you were born on the 14th of February or whether you were a by-product of a love affair that took place in the month of February. One fact I have come to discover over the years is that people take...