Old Roman Catholic Church Latin Rite Nigeria

02/10/2026

28/09/2026

ARE YOU A GOOD SHEPHERD?
A good shepherd does not only teach obedience to God and the Church; he also teaches his clergy to respect legitimate civil authority.
The question therefore deserves to be asked:
Are you a good shepherd if you encourage or permit your priest to disregard a legitimate invitation from the civil authorities?
A good shepherd should not shield his cleric from a lawful civil investigation. Rather, he should encourage the priest to appear, cooperate with the investigation, answer questions truthfully, and allow due process to take its course.
If a priest disobeys his bishop, disciplinary consequences may follow because ecclesiastical authority requires obedience. The same principle of lawful authority applies in civil society. A priest remains a citizen and is subject to the laws of the country.
This does not mean that every action of a police officer is automatically lawful. Where an invitation is improper, abusive, or contrary to the law, the appropriate response is to challenge it through lawful procedures, preferably with legal counsel—not simply to ignore the authorities or obstruct an investigation.
Authority must be respected, and accountability must be mutual.
St. Paul teaches:
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.”
— Romans 13:1
The Christian understanding of civil authority does not place any individual above the law—not a priest, bishop, archbishop, governor, former president, Inspector-General of Police, or any other public figure.
Likewise, ecclesiastical office does not confer immunity from legitimate civil investigation.
A bishop expects his priests to obey him because ecclesiastical order depends upon discipline. A responsible bishop should therefore also teach his clergy how to respond properly to legitimate civil authority: with respect, transparency and lawful cooperation.
If there is an allegation of defamation, misconduct, or any other civil matter, the proper approach is not to hide behind ecclesiastical

28/09/2026

COURT FIXES NOVEMBER 19 TO DECIDE YAHAYA BELLO’S FATE OVER KOGI APC SENATORIAL TICKET

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 19, 2026, to deliver judgment in a suit challenging former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s emergence as the APC candidate for Kogi Central Senatorial District.

The suit was filed by APC senatorial aspirant Momoh Yusuf Obaro, who claims he won the party’s May 18 primary and is seeking an order directing the APC to recognise him as its candidate. Bello and the APC have asked the court to dismiss the case, while INEC has maintained that it monitored the primary and that Bello was returned as the winner.

INEC had already listed Bello as the APC candidate for Kogi Central in its September 2026 final list, meaning the court’s decision could have implications for his candidacy.

28/09/2026

*THE GIANT FOWL DOESN'T WANT THE LITTLE CHICK TO GROW*
AS HOW NAH?
LET THE CHICK BREATH-

28/09/2026

Breaking news

ARCHBISHOP ALICK BANDA GRANTED K80,000 BAIL

By CHIKUMBI KATEBE

LUSAKA Magistrate Mwandu S. Nakazwe has granted Archbishop Alick Banda K80,000 bail in his own recognisance, with three working sureties bonded at K50,000 each.

The sureties’ identification documents will be verified by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), while Archbishop Banda has been ordered to surrender his travel documents to the DEC.

The Archbishop will remain in custody until all bail conditions are met.

Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri SC is heading the prosecution team as Archbishop Banda appears before Magistrate Nakazwe for allocation.

The defence team includes Bonaventure Mutale SC and John Sangwa SC.

Also present in court are Archbishop Ignatius Chama, president of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), Rev. Fr. Simpasya SJ and other priests.

28/09/2026

UPDATE

This morning at the Area Command, Abakpa, Enugu State, Fr. Tony was present as scheduled. The police waited for several hours for the priest from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Enugu, who was expected to appear. However, he reportedly failed to answer his calls and later switched off his phone, allegedly following instructions from his superior.

The fact remains that no one is above the law. If former public officials and other prominent individuals can be invited to answer questions concerning allegations made against them, then no individual should consider himself exempt from lawful investigation.

The matter concerns an allegation of defamation against a duly ordained Catholic priest under a recognised religious institution. The appropriate authorities should be allowed to investigate the circumstances and determine whether any offence has been committed.

The Nigeria Police are professional institutions with established procedures for handling complaints and investigations. Due process should therefore be allowed to take its course in the interest of justice and posterity.

The Church will not abandon the pursuit of justice through lawful means. We trust that the relevant authorities will handle the matter objectively and in accordance with the law.

If the investigation establishes sufficient evidence of an offence, the appropriate legal proceedings should follow.

With love and justice,
Cristiano