Buhari mourns Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI; Onaiyekan, Badejo extol his virtues

adminDecember 31, 2022

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President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with Pope Francis, the Catholic Church in Nigeria and around the world, as well as all Christian faithful who mourn the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and prayed that “the Pope Emeritus receives eternal embrace in the loving arms of the Lord, whom he served faithfully throughout his vocation.”

This is as His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja and the Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, have extolled the virtues of the departed Pope Emeritus, describing his death as a gain to Heaven.

In a statement by Femi Adesina, his Special Adviser (Media & Publicity), President Buhari, on behalf of Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, paid tribute “to Benedict XVI who was greatly admired globally for his selfless leadership, renowned learning as a theologian, and dedication to advance inter-faith dialogue and peace.”

The statement said further that Buhari “believes that the late Pontiff will be remembered as a true servant of God who used the benevolent gifts of the Almighty upon his life to serve the Church and humanity in humility, reverence and piety, living in word and deed the virtues of a true Christian disciple.”

Onaiyekan, Badejo

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Dec. 31, 2022

In his reaction to the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Saturday, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan said that the departed Emeritus Pontiff spent his 95 years on Earth in serving God and His Church.

“We thank God for his life; I know him personally. He was very kind to me, always fond of me. He made me and made me a Cardinal.

“We don’t feel pity over his demise because he lived for God and His Church. So, I’m completely optimistic that he has just moved gently, gently into paradise.

“I know I have another saint now in heaven and I hope to join them whenever God calls me sooner or later; may his soul rest in perfect peace,” Onaiyekan said.

NAN reports that Benedict XVI passed away at 95 at about 9.34 a.m in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican, as announced by the Vatican on Saturday.

Also, the Catholic Pope Emeritus (1927- 2022), had been down with sickness before he passed away.

The Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, in his reaction, said that Pope Emeritus Benedict had gracefully returned to God.

Badejo said he was a Pope that respected the reality of history and engaged fruitfully with the Church, especially the West to emphasise the liaison between faith and reason.

“He was not shy to respect the reality of history when he courageously retired a few years ago, because as he said, his energy and mind could no longer carry that responsibility.

“He, however, remained at the device of his beloved Church till the end as he said, by his prayers and presence,” Badejo said.

adminDecember 31, 2022

0 722 2 minutes read