The Choice Flame Newspaper

15/06/2025

Signis 2025 Conference Concludes in Enugu with Strong Call for Rethinking Religious Images

https://choiceflame.com.ng/2025/06/14/signis-2025-conference-concludes-in-enugu-with-strong-call-for-rethinking-religious-imagery/

14/06/2025

The Nigerian Conference of Women Religious against Human Trafficking (NCWRaHT) Onitsha province, today 14 June 2025, held a One-Day seminar at Domus Sancti Spiritus Hall, Holy Ghost Cathedral Enugu. The Theme of the seminar was "Understanding Human Trafficking".
The main aim of this capacity building was to expose participants to be able to define and understand human trafficking and consequences of human trafficking to the individual.
Mr Ukpai Awa Jonathan, Enugu Zonal Commander of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) also delivered a speech during the seminar.

14/06/2025

Bishop Hassan Kukah, CON and the Soundproofing of a Prophetic Voice?

By Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Amos

By Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Amos On June 12, 2025, as the nation marked Democracy Day—a symbol of Nigeria’s long, halting march toward people-centred governance—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred the national honour of *Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)* on Bishop Matthew Hass...

14/06/2025

Members and friends of the Prelature of Opus Dei in Enugu Diocese marked the 50th anniversary of the transition into heaven and 100th anniversary of the priestly ordination of St. Josemaria Escriva with a Solemn Mass of St. Josemaria celebrated by His Lordship, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu at Holy Trinity Parish, Independence Layout Enugu, and concentrated by priests of the Opus Dei Prelature and Enugu diocesan priests.

Opus Dei is a personal Prelature founded by St. Josemaria Escriva in Madrid on October 2, 1928 which seeks sanctity in the context of ordinary Christian life (holiness in the midst of the world).

Through their members and priests the work of Opus Dei has continued to nourish and serve the needs of the faithful and priests of the Diocese.

14/06/2025

Tehran Cardinal Urges Israel-Iran Dialogue, Rejects Pre-emptive Strikes

Amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan, has called for immediate dialogue and de-escalation, warning that pre-emptive military action will not lead to peace.

In a statement to AsiaNews, Cardinal Mathieu expressed deep concern following Israel’s overnight air and drone strikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, an operation that reportedly killed top generals and scientists. Iran responded with a wave of over 100 drones launched toward Israel, heightening fears of a broader regional conflict.

“It is with regret that we observe once again that peace is sought through preventive attacks, rather than through dialogue at the negotiating table,” Cardinal Mathieu said. “We pray that peace through dialogue based on consensus will prevail. May the Holy Spirit guide this process.”

Cardinal Mathieu, a participant in the Conclave that elected Pope Francis and appointed by the late pontiff to represent the Christian presence in Iran, emphasized the need for integration, inclusion, and constructive engagement at all levels of Iranian society.

Iran is home to approximately 22,000 Catholics and about 500,000 Christians among a population of nearly 84 million, the majority of whom are Shiite Muslims. The Christian presence includes Latin Rite Catholics, Chaldeans, Armenians, and communities of European and Latin American origin.

As tensions mount, Cardinal Mathieu’s voice adds to the growing calls for restraint, dialogue, and a renewed commitment to peace in the region. Recall that Pope Leo XIV had earlier today called for peace and dialogue amidst the escalating tensions betwethe two nations.

14/06/2025

Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, urging all parties to act with responsibility and reason. He called for sincere dialogue and respectful engagement, stressing that true peace must be built on justice, fraternity, and the common good. “No one should ever threaten another’s existence,” the Pope said, urging the international community to support reconciliation efforts and pursue a world free from nuclear threats.

On Friday, Israel launched powerful air and drone strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites, targeting top generals and scientists to halt its atomic progress. In response, Iran fired dozens of ballistic missiles at Israel, triggering explosions over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and rattling buildings across both cities.

Video: Vatican News

14/06/2025

"Each age produces a saint whose life is an example of how to solve the problems of the age"

📸: Supreme Catholic Meme

14/06/2025

Saint of the Day: St. Methodius I: Defender of the Icons

St. Methodius I, Patriarch of Constantinople, lived during a turbulent time in the history of the Church, when the veneration of sacred images known as icons was fiercely debated and often outlawed. Born into a wealthy family in Syracuse, Sicily, Methodius chose a life of service to God, eventually becoming a monk and a respected scholar.

In the 9th century, during the height of the Iconoclast Controversy, Methodius stood firm in defense of the Church’s tradition of using holy images in prayer and worship. His conviction led to his imprisonment under Emperor Theophilus, where he suffered harsh conditions for several years. Yet even in confinement, he remained a voice of peace and faith, refusing to abandon what he believed was the truth.

After the emperor’s death, Methodius was appointed Patriarch of Constantinople. He used his leadership not for revenge, but to restore unity, healing the wounds caused by years of religious division. Through patience, wisdom, and unwavering faith, he helped bring about the official restoration of the veneration of icons a moment still celebrated today in the Eastern Church as the “Triumph of Orthodoxy.”

St. Methodius’ life reminds us that true leadership is not about power, but about courage, compassion, and fidelity to God. His legacy continues in the Church’s devotion to beauty, truth, and the sacred.

Prayer:
Lord, give us the steadfast faith of St. Methodius to stand firm in truth, to heal division with love, and to protect what is holy with wisdom and grace.
May we always honor your image in every person, and walk with courage in times of trial. AMEN.

14/06/2025

Gospel of the Day
(Matthew 5:33-37)

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not break your oath, but must fulfil your oaths to the Lord. But I say this to you: do not swear at all, either by heaven, since that is God’s throne; or by the earth, since that is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the great king. Do not swear by your own head either, since you cannot turn a single hair white or black. All you need say is “Yes” if you mean yes, “No” if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’

14/06/2025

Pope Leo XIV Receives Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV welcomed the President of the Republic of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, in a private audience on Friday morning at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.

After a two-year deadlock, Lebanon elected President Joseph Aoun, a former Lebanese Army Commander, on January 9, 2025. The 61-year-old became Lebanon’s 14th president, stepping in to fill a presidential vacuum of more than two years left by his predecessor, Michel Aoun.

Following the meeting with the Holy Father, President Aoun held discussions with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, who was accompanied by Monsignor Mirosław Wachowski, Under-Secretary for Relations with States.

According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the talks at the Secretariat of State were held in a cordial atmosphere. “Reference was made to the good bilateral relations, with particular appreciation expressed for the traditional and consistent role of the Catholic Church in Lebanese society,” the statement read.

The statement further noted that the conversation touched on Lebanon’s ongoing efforts toward political stability and economic recovery. “The hope was expressed that the country, through the stabilisation and reform process, would experience a new season of political harmony and economic renewal, enabling it to reinforce the ideals of interfaith coexistence and the promotion of development that have long characterised it.”

In conclusion, the Vatican underscored “the necessary and pressing need to foster the pacification of the entire Middle East region,” highlighting the Church’s concern for peace and stability across the broader area.

Source/ 📷 credit: Vatican News

13/06/2025

Institute of the Sisters of the Christian Services Bids Final Farewell to Late Sr. Juliet Ozonwanji

The Sisters of the Christian Services on Thursday, 12th June 2025, laid to rest one of their beloved members, Sr. Juliet Ozonwanji, SCS, who died at the age of 43. Late Sr. Juliet was a native of Imama Amandim Olo, Ezeagu LGA, Enugu State. She made her first profession in 2013 and her final profession in 2019. She later joined in December 2024 the Sisters of the Christian Services. She was officially received into the Sisters of the Christian Services on Sunday May 11, 2025. Sr. Juliet died on Friday May 16, 2025 after an illness which resulted to a medical surgery.

A Requiem Mass was celebrated by Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, at the Generalate of the Sisters of the Christian Services,Iva-Valley Enugu, drawing together religious sisters, clergy, family members, and members of the faithful in a moving celebration of faith and thanksgiving.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Prof. Nnamdi Nwankwo, the Coordinator of the Institute and the Rector of Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo, described the sister’s life as a quiet witness to the Gospel, marked by humility, compassion, and deep spiritual devotion. He encouraged those present to hold fast to the Christian hope of the resurrection and to remain inspired by her example of love and service.

Following the Mass, the late sister was laid to rest at the cemetery of the Institute. The Institute thanked all who joined in mourning and remembrance, asking for continued prayers for the peaceful repose of her soul.

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord… they will rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them.”
(Revelation 14:13).

Credit 📸: Amorecan Media Network

13/06/2025

SIGNIS CONFERENCE 2025, ROSARY RALLY