St Anthony's Parish Ewet Housing Estate

10/05/2026

VICAR GENERAL IDENTIFIES ‘STONY HEARTS’ AS ROOT OF NIGERIA’S CHALLENGES

The Vicar General (Pastoral) of the Uyo Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ating, has identified what he described as “stony hearts” among citizens and leaders as the major cause of the numerous socio-political, economic and moral challenges confronting Nigeria,

Delivering his homily during the Sixth Sunday of Easter at St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish, Ewet Housing, on May 10, 2026, Fr. Ating lamented that many people no longer feel remorse over wrongdoing, just as the Israelites in exile in Babylon lost their sense of guilt after violating their covenant with God.

Explaining what he meant by “stony hearts,” the cleric referenced Ezekiel 36:26, noting that a heart of stone is one that is unresponsive to God and fellow human beings, spiritually insensitive, devoid of guilt and unwilling to change, while a heart of flesh is compassionate, responsive, loving and capable of transformation.

Fr. Ating said the manifestations of hardened hearts could be seen in rising insecurity, corruption, killings, nepotism, poor leadership, lack of compassion, tribal sentiments and the growing culture of unrighteousness despite the proliferation of churches across the country.

He questioned if many Catholics still feel guilty for deliberately missing Sunday Mass, stressing that many people now approach sacred obligations, including marriage covenants, with carelessness and indifference.

According to him, the nation’s moral decline is reflected daily in disturbing headlines about looting, insecurity and killings, as well as in the failure of leaders to listen to the cries of the people.

The Vicar General further condemned the appointment of persons from particular tribes into sensitive positions to the exclusion of others, describing such actions as evidence of hardened hearts and lack of justice.

He also decried what he called the growing neglect of neighbourly love among Nigerians, citing poor patient care by some medical professionals, unfavourable hospital policies, ethnic prejudice and the justification of corrupt practices on the grounds of economic hardship.

Speaking on the state of religion in the country, Fr. Ating expressed concern that despite the increasing number of churches and religious activities, unrighteousness continues to thrive because many people pray without genuine repentance.

He maintained that Nigeria’s problems cannot be solved merely by creating more states, arguing that people with “stony hearts” would still govern such states unless there is inner transformation inspired by God.

The cleric urged Nigerians to allow God transform their hearts, emphasizing that while God will not do the work of man, man must also permit God to work in him for the manifestation of Godly virtues and societal healing.

Drawing inspiration from the Acts of the Apostles, Fr. Ating encouraged Christians to emulate Philip, who preached Christ in Samaria not only through words but through a life of witness capable of bringing healing, joy and transformation to society.

He said what impressed him in the first reading from Acts 8:5-8,14-17 was how many people were freed from unclean spirits and healed because they listened to the word preached by Philip, expressing hope that the message of transformation would also bring joy and gladness to the people and the state.

He prayed that God would fulfill His promises in the lives of His children and manifest His healing power upon all who received His word.

© Emmanuel Thompson

26/04/2026

BE FLOCK THAT LISTEN - REV. FR. UMODIOH
‎... Inaugurates Migrants and Refugees Unit
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‎Catholic faithful have been urged to become the kind of flock that listens attentively to the voice of Christ, the Good Shepherd, in order to experience true repentance and transformation.
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‎Visiting Priest at St. Anthony Parish, Ewet Housing, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ben Umodioh, gave the charge during his homily on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A, April 26, 2026, which also marked Good Shepherd Sunday, emphasizing that Jesus Christ remains the Good Shepherd while Christians are the sheep of His flock.
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‎Explaining the significance of Good Shepherd Sunday, Fr. Umodioh said the day reminds Christians that their identity as followers of Christ is tied to their ability to recognize and obey His voice. He noted that if believers are truly part of Christ’s flock, they would listen to Him and allow His word to guide their lives.
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‎Drawing from the first reading in Acts of the Apostles 2:14a, 36-41, he referenced how those who listened to Peter were deeply touched and immediately asked what they should do, leading them to repentance and conversion.
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‎According to him, the message of Peter cutting through the hearts of the people remains a lesson for Christians today, stressing that the essence of every word of God is to pierce the heart and lead people to genuine repentance.
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‎He questioned how often Christians allow the word of God to truly affect them, observing that many people often feel certain messages of God are meant for others and not for themselves.
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‎The Cleric stated that when the word of God is received with sincerity and genuine repentance, its impact becomes visible in the life of the listener, leading to a radical change from bad to good.
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‎Speaking on the Gospel reading from John 10:1-10, Fr. Umodioh described the message as another strong call to repentance, urging the faithful to make a deliberate U-turn from sin and follow the path of righteousness.
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‎He noted that in a world filled with many competing voices, Christians must learn to discern the voice of the Good Shepherd from the voices of thieves who come only to kill and destroy.
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‎Fr. Umodioh stressed that Christianity is not merely about rules and regulations but about building a personal relationship with Christ, adding that this relationship helps believers understand and follow His voice.
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‎The Cleric therefore called on Catholics to make conscious efforts to listen deeply to Christ, insisting that His word alone gives life and leads to salvation.
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‎At the inauguration of the Migrants and Refugees Unit of the parish, Fr. Umodioh explained that the unit is one of the structures under the Church and Society Department of the Church, created to respond to the growing concerns of displaced persons and vulnerable migrants.
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‎He disclosed that the Migrants and Refugees Unit was created by Pope Francis following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, and noted that the unit in the Diocese of Uyo is about one year old.
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‎He further gave insight into the workings of the United Nations regarding migrants and refugees, highlighting the sensitization efforts carried out by the unit in the Uyo diocese across schools, churches, villages, and their engagements with government and non-governmental organizations.
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‎He also spoke about meetings held with the leadership of refugees currently residing in Akwa Ibom State, as well as partnerships with medical missions which have enabled the Church to provide free medical services to refugees in their host communities.
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‎Expressing concern over the difficult living conditions of many refugees, he said the diocese is also planning empowerment and skills training programmes aimed at improving their livelihoods and restoring dignity.
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‎He appealed for financial support from parishioners and well-meaning individuals to sustain the work of the unit and announced that the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ating, would be appointed as the Patron of Refugees and Migrants in the diocese.
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‎Those inaugurated into the executive of the Migrants and Refugees Unit in the parish include Aniekpeno Elijah as Coordinator, Oliver Ntambang as Assistant Coordinator, Akonma Blaise as Secretary, James Robson as Assistant Secretary, Veronica Frank as Treasurer, Joseph Emory as PRO, Ekemini Udim as Legal Adviser, and Augusta Etim as Welfare Officer.
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‎(c) Emmanuel Thompson

23/04/2026

AFRICA TOUR: POPE LEO XIV PREACHES LOVE, PEACE

Across Africa, the message of Pope Leo XIV has echoed with unusual clarity: love must overcome hatred, peace must silence conflict, and hope must defeat despair. From the Marian Shrine of Mama Muxima in Angola to the troubled streets of Bamenda in Cameroon, the Holy Father’s apostolic journey has become more than a pastoral visit, it has become a call for moral renewal across nations burdened by war, poverty, unemployment, and social division.

At the historic Shrine of Mama Muxima in Angola, Pope Leo XIV stood before thousands of pilgrims and offered a message both spiritual and practical. The shrine, whose name means “Mother of the Heart,” has long been a refuge for generations of Angolans through seasons of joy and suffering. Built in the 16th century and strengthened by faith during colonial rule and civil war, it remains a symbol of endurance and prayer.

Speaking to young people, members of the Legion of Mary, and Catholic faithful gathered at the shrine, the Pope reminded them that prayer must never remain only in words. Reflecting on the Rosary, he described it as a timeless prayer that continues to inspire Christians to proclaim Christ in everyday life. But beyond devotion, he stressed that faith must produce visible acts of love, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, educating children, and ensuring dignity for the elderly.

He urged Catholics to look to Mary not only as a mother of prayer but also as a model of universal love. According to him, a mother embraces all her children, and society must learn from that example by protecting the weak and standing for justice. In a continent where inequality often leaves many behind, the Pope’s words carried deep social meaning.

His strongest appeal came with a direct challenge to young people: to reject corruption, injustice, and violence, and become builders of a better future. Referring to the construction of a larger shrine to welcome more pilgrims, he described it as a sign of hope and a reminder that a peaceful society must also be intentionally built.

“It is love that must triumph, not war,” the Pope declared a statement that has since become the defining message of his African tour.

That same message found urgent relevance in Cameroon, particularly in the troubled Anglophone regions where conflict has left communities wounded for years. In Bamenda, one of the hardest-hit areas, the Pope’s visit stirred emotions that many residents had not felt in nearly a decade, joy, unity, and the possibility of peace.

According to Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya, President of the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, the Pope’s presence brought life back to a city long trapped in trauma. For years, broken roads, a closed airport, insecurity, and social instability had become symbols of abandonment. But with the Pope’s arrival came visible change, roads were repaired, street lights returned, and for the first time in years, the airport reopened.

For Archbishop Nkea, these were not ordinary developments but signs that the Pope’s message was already bearing fruit. More significantly, he noted that both government authorities and separatist groups, often divided by deep hostility, found themselves speaking the same language during the papal visit, welcoming the Pope and listening to his appeal for peace.

The Archbishop described this as a miracle and a powerful sign that reconciliation is possible. He insisted that the Pope’s visit should not be remembered merely as an event, but as the beginning of action. According to him, the real question is not whether people applauded the Pope’s speeches, but what happens next.

This challenge also extended to Africa’s youth. In Cameroon, where unemployment and migration pressures continue to push many young people toward dangerous journeys abroad, Pope Leo XIV urged leaders to invest in young people as the hope of the nation. He also reminded those in positions of authority that leadership must serve the common good, not private interests.

For many developing nations, he suggested, the greatest danger lies in the unequal sharing of opportunities and resources. When only a few benefit from the “national cake,” injustice deepens and peace becomes fragile. Real peace, therefore, must include fairness, employment, and dignity for all.

The Pope’s African journey has shown that the Church’s mission is not confined to the altar. It reaches the roads of Bamenda, the hospitals of struggling communities, the classrooms of unemployed graduates, and the prayer grounds of Mama Muxima. His message links faith with responsibility and devotion with social justice.

As pilgrims left the shrine in Angola, Pope Leo asked them to become “messengers of life,” carrying hope and solidarity into their communities. In Cameroon, Church leaders are already speaking of creating a “catechism of peace” based on his words, so that his call for reconciliation does not fade with his departure.

In a continent searching for healing and stability, Pope Leo XIV’s message remains simple yet powerful: peace is not postponed for tomorrow, it begins now. And if Africa must rise stronger, it must be through love, justice, and the courage to choose peace over war.

INFORMATION CREDIT:
‎- Joseph Tulloch – Yaoundé
‎- Massimiliano Menichetti
‎- Vatican News
© Emmanuel Thompson

19/04/2026

FR. ATING URGES CATHOLICS TO REMAIN STEADFAST IN FAITH, FOLLOW PATH OF CHRIST

Catholics have been urged to remain steadfast in their faith and stay committed to the path of Christ despite the many distractions and conflicting teachings in the world today.

The Vicar General (Pastoral) of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ating, gave the charge during his homily on the Third Sunday of Easter on April 19, 2026, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish, Ewet, Uyo.

Referencing the responsorial psalm, “Show us, Lord, the path of life,” Fr. Ating said the message should remain in the hearts of Catholics and guide their daily lives. He noted that the path of life has become complicated in modern times, with many teachers and voices claiming to offer the right direction.

He stressed that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a reality because there were witnesses who saw Him, ate with Him and received His mandate to preach the Gospel to the whole world. According to him, this truth remains the foundation of the Christian faith and should strengthen Catholics in their commitment to the Church.

Fr. Ating explained that it is in the breaking of bread that eyes are opened to recognize Christ, noting that this remains central to Catholic worship and belief. He added that many continue to struggle with this mystery, just as seen in the Gospel of John where some walked away from Christ’s teaching.

Referencing 1 Peter 1:18, he said Christianity should be understood as a way of life that is different from the life people were born into, stressing that no one is born a Christian but becomes one through baptism.

He further cited 1 Corinthians 6:20 and 1 Corinthians 7:23, saying Christians were bought and paid for with the precious blood of Christ and therefore cannot live according to personal desires alone. Quoting Galatians 6:17, he added that through baptism, Catholics have received the mark of Christ and belong fully to Him.

He urged the faithful to remain committed to the teachings of the Church, uphold the values of the Christian life, and continue to spread the Gospel in obedience to Christ’s command.

©️ Emmanuel Thompson

19/04/2026

Third Sunday Of Easter
Happy Mothers’ Day

18/04/2026

March Past Competition by the CWON
Day 3 of the CWON WEEK

17/04/2026

CWON WEEK DAY TWO

16/04/2026

Day One Of CWON WEEK 2026

16/04/2026

16/04/2026

CWON WEEK 2026
St Anthony Ewet Housing Uyo.