The Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze, visited Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Commissions the planting of one million trees in the university to cushion the adverse effects of climate change.
Jkcyno blog covered the event which was held at the Education Trust Fund (ETF) Auditorium of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam which was filled to capacity as the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kate Omenugha, principal officers, staff, management, students of the university, priests, religious and entire Catholic community of the institution came out in their numbers to welcome Francis Cardinal Arinze to the university.
The event which started with a holy mass also had the Bishop of Aguleri Diocese, most Rev. Denis Isizoh present alongside majority of the catholic priests serving in Aguleri Diocese.
In his homily during the holy mass, Francis Cardinal Arinze harped on the characteristics of the Holy Spirit and His works in the lives of Christians in guiding and keeping the church united, describing Jesus Christ as One and Only Saviour, and noted that the Holy Spirit guides the Church.
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In her welcome remarks, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Kate Omenugha expressed great delight at the visit of the Cardinal to the institution, the presence of Bishop Dennis Isizoh of Aguleri Catholic diocese and the outstanding turnout of people at the event.
Describing the Cardinal as not just a Catholic Priest but a world figure and role model that the university is looking up to, Professor Omenugha said that the university has began rebranding and the setting up of an interdenominational Committee where they have ecumenical relationship.
In his lecture titled, “Promoting Social Responsibilities and Ethical Conduct, the Guest Lecturer, Francis Cardinal Arinze stated that Nigeria should promote televised debate during elections, which would give the electorate the opportunity to decide which candidate they want, adding that universities should help in the formation of leaders who cannot be bought while governments and politicians should allow the universities to exercise their rights of expressions irrespective of party affiliations.
Part of his lecture was an apeal to the student body to take special interest in politics and become involved to enable them bring the actual change necessary to change the already defaced political landscape in Nigeria.
Cardinal Arinze, who planted four different symbolic trees, using 1st Corinthians Chapter 13 verse 13 and gave the names of the symbolic trees as Faith, Hope, Love, and Blessing, prayed for God’s abundant blessings upon the Management of the institution, staff, and the entire students, asking God to make the trees a great shelter where love, hope, faith and blessing would be received, shared, deployed, utilized and practicalized.
He equally prayed that the trees would attract promotion and global recognition to the University.
Acting Vice Chancellor of COOU, Prof Kate Omenugha, expressed gratitude to God for the gift of His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze and for using him to bless and plant the trees which opened the doors for further planting, saying that they would takeoff with a Climate Action Summit billed to hold on 17th July 2024, and that COOU’s 5-Year Strategic Roadmap for Tree Planting and Climate Action 2024-2029 would be launched, adding that their target was to plant 1 million trees in the next 5 years.
See some pictures below :
Meanwhile, Below is the Citation of Francis Cardinal Arinze…..Â
Early life
Cardinal Arinze was bom in Eziowelle,Idemili North LGA,Anambra State on Nov 1, 1932 to a family who practiced ATR. He followed his brother in birthday, by Father Michael Tansi,who was beatified by John Paul II in 1998. His parents later converted to Catholicism as well.
At age 15, he entered All Hallows Seminary,Onitsha..His father initially opposed his entering the seminary, but encouraged him when he saw how he enjoyed it. In 1955, he was sent to Rome to study theology at the Pontifical Urban University, where he earned a doctorate in sacred theology with summa cum laude.
Priest On 23 November 1958,at the chapel of the university, He was ordained a Catholic priest by Cardinal Gregorio Pietro Agagianian,Pro-prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.
After ordination, Cardinal’Arinze remained in Rome, earning a master’s in theology in 1959 and doctorate in 1960. His doctoral thesis on “Ibo Sacrifice as an Introduction to the Catechesis of Holy Mass” was the basis for his reference work, “Sacrifice in Ibo Religion”, published in 1970. From 1961 to 1962, he was professor of liturgy, logic, and basic philosophy at Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu. He was then appointed regional secretary for Catholic education for the eastern part of Nigeria. Next, he was then sent to London,where he attended the Institute of Education and graduated in 1964.
Bishop and Archbishop On 6 July 1965, Pope Paul VI appointed him titular bishop of Fissiana and coadjutor to Charles Heerey, Archbishop of Onitsha.
He thereby,became the youngest Roman Catholic bishop in the world.
Archbishop Heerey consecrated him on 29 August 1965, at the age of 32.He attended the final session of the Second Vatican Council in 1965.
Archbishop Heerey died on 6 February 1967, and Pope Paul appointed Arinze to succeed him as Archbishop on 26 June 1967. He was the first native African to head this archdiocese.
The Nigeria-Biafra War broke out just days after Arinze was named Archbishop. The entire Archdiocese was located in the Biafran territory. Arinze fled to Adazi and then Amichi until the war ended in 1970.
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His missionaries supervised what one international relief worker called one of “the Bishops, The Eucharist:Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church (October 2005).
Cardinal Bishop of Velletri-Segni (named by Pope Benedict XVI) a post which Pope Benedict himself had held until his election as Pope.
most effective and efficient distributions of relief materials in history.”He kept the Church independent of the warring factions,
Appointments/ ·Coadjutor Bishop of Onitsha (1965-1967)
Post(s) ·Titular Bishop of Fissiana(1965-1967)
·Archbishop of Onitsha (1967-1985)
·President of the CatholicBishops’Conference of Nigeria (1979-1984)
·In 1982,he was elected Vice-President for Africa of the United Bible society.
Pro Prefect of the Secretariat for Inter-Religious Dialogue (1984-1985)
Nared Cardinal by Pope JP II in a consistory that was held on 25 May 1985
Cardinal-Deacon of S.Giovanni della Pigna (1985-1996)
·President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue(1985-2002)
·On 8 May 1994, he presided in the capacity of first President Delegate at the solemn dlosing of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops at the altar of the Chair of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Cardinal-Priest of S. Giovanni della Pigna (1996-2005)
Member of the Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000
Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments (1October 2002-9 December 2008
President Delegate of the 11th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops, The Eucharist:Source and Summit ofthe Life and Mission of the Church (October 2005).
Cardinal Bishop of Velletri-Segni (named by Pope Benedict XVI) a post which Pope Benedict himself had held until his election as Pope.
When Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005,he was considered papabile,that is, a candidate for election to the papacy, at the papal conclave that followed,in which he was a cardinal elector.
On 9 December 2008 Pope Benedict accepted Arinze’s resignation as Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship.
In retirement, His Eminence remains active.He actively catechizes via Familyland TV to the Americas,the Philippines,Africa,and Europe.He has produced over 1,700 television programs. The programs cover almost all of Pope John Paul II’s Encyclicals and Apostolic Letters, the teachings of the Second Vatican Council,and many other topics. In July 2009, he delivered a major speech promoting Interreligious Dialogue at The City Club of Cleveland.
During Lent of 2009 he was called to preach the spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia in which Pope Benedict XVI took part.
President Delegate of the 2nd Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, “The Church in Africa,at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.’You are the salt of the earth, … you are the light of the world'” (4-25October 2009).
Publications
·Sacrifice in Ibo Religion (University of California Press, 1970)
·The Church in Dialogue:Walking With Other Believers(1990)
·Meeting Other Believers:The Risks and Rewards of Interreligious Dialogue (1998)
The Holy Eucharist(Our Sunday Visitor, 2001) ISBN 0-87973-978-9
Religions for Peace (Darton, Longman & Todd, 2002)
Building Bridges: Interreligious Dialogue on the Path to World Peace(2004).
·The Family Catechism on Tape,Apostolate for Family Consecration
·Divine Providence:God’s Design in Your Life (2005)Cardinal Reflections:Active Participation and the Liturgy (2005)
Celebrating the Holy Eucharist(2006)
God’s Invisible Hand:The Life and Work of Francis Cardinal Arinze,Ignatius Press,2006
Great Figures in Salvation History: David and Solomon, an interview with Cardinal Arinze and Roy Schoemann, Ignatius Press, 2006
·The Evangelizing Parish (Ignatius Press 2018)
Honorary Degrees
He has received honorary degrees from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka,in 1986,the Catholic University of America in 1998, Wake Forest University in 1999, the Catholic University of Manila in 2001, Notre Dame University in 2003, the University of St. Mary of the Lake in 2003,and Seton Hall University in 2005.
On 24 October 1999 he received a gold medallion from the International Council of Christians and Jews for his outstanding achievements in inter-faith relations.
Motto:Regnum Christi Floreat.(May the Kingdom of Christ flourish)
One of the Principal advisers of Pope JPII
Rev. Father Prof.Sylvanus Nnoruka
COOU 04 July 2024.
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