Category: News affecting the Church

INTERNATIONAL: Nigeria’s Oldest Catholic Priest Dies at Age 104

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JEFF TURNER

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Nigeria announced the death of Right Reverend Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, who passed away on November 24, 2024. At 104 years of age, Msgr. Oleghe held the distinction of being Nigeria’s most senior Catholic priest.

Bishop Gabriel Dunia of the Auchi Diocese confirmed that Msgr. Oleghe died in the early hours of Sunday morning at 2:30 a.m. The Diocese plans to hold funeral services for the late priest on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

The announcement came through an official statement from the Diocese of Auchi, located in Nigeria’s Edo State. Bishop Dunia shared the news with the Catholic community through both formal channels and social media.

The Diocese of Auchi made preparations to honour Msgr. Oleghe’s life through a funeral service, acknowledging his lengthy service to the Catholic Church in Nigeria.

This news marks a significant moment for the Catholic community in Nigeria, as Msgr. Oleghe’s age and position made him a notable figure in the country’s religious history.

Canadian Doctor’s COVID Comments Spark Legal Challenge

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

A Canadian family doctor recently lost her legal challenge against a warning she received from medical authorities over comments she made about COVID-19 and religious practices. The case began in 2020 when the doctor, who is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, publicly objected to her church’s decision to stop using a shared communion spoon during the pandemic.

The doctor wrote several online posts and letters about the issue, signing them with her medical credentials and identifying herself as a “front line physician.” In these communications, she argued that diseases had never been transmitted through communion in the church’s 2,000-year history and suggested that COVID-19 was being used as a pretext to change religious practices. She also compared COVID-19 to other diseases like HIV and SARS, noting that communion practices hadn’t changed during those outbreaks.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons received a complaint about these statements, leading to an investigation. While the College acknowledged that the doctor was expressing religious rather than medical views, they were concerned that her use of medical credentials could lead people to believe she was speaking with medical authority about public health measures. As a result, they issued her a caution to be more mindful of her tone and clarity when discussing public health-related information, given her position of trust as a physician.

The doctor appealed this decision to the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB), arguing that it violated her right to express her religious beliefs. However, the Board upheld the original decision, noting that while the doctor was free to express her religious views, the concern was specifically about her identifying herself as a physician while making these statements about disease transmission during a pandemic.

Finally, the doctor took her case to court for judicial review, but the court dismissed her appeal. The judges found that the original decision to issue a caution was reasonable and appropriately balanced the doctor’s right to religious expression with the medical profession’s duty to protect public health. They emphasized that the caution was meant to be educational rather than punitive, and that it didn’t prevent her from expressing her religious views – it only addressed her use of medical credentials while doing so.

Ontario Man Awaits Sentencing This Week for First Nation Church Arson

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JEFF TURNER

A court will determine the fate of Emric Thompson next week in connection with a 2020 church fire at Saugeen First Nation.

Thompson faces sentencing on November 27 for burning the Church of Jesus Christ and damaging a worship pavilion with an all-terrain vehicle. The court found him guilty of both arson and mischief causing damage worth more than $5,000.

The incidents took place on September 28, 2020, during a period when several churches in the area experienced fire damage. Thompson stood trial for three separate church fires but was cleared of involvement in two cases. The court found him not guilty regarding the Saugeen Fellowship Baptist Church fire, while prosecutors dropped charges related to Wesley United Church due to lack of evidence.

Superior Court Justice Roger Chown will issue the sentence after hearing arguments from both sides. While arson carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, Thompson’s sentence could range from probation to two years in custody. Prosecutors have asked for a period of probation lasting two years, plus 100 hours of community service after any jail term.

The sentencing hearing begins at 3 p.m. at the local courthouse.

INTERNATIONAL: Deliberate Fires at United Methodist Churches in Pennsylvania

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JEFF TURNER

(Photo courtesy Woodycrest United Methodist Church)

Two fires that occurred this fall at United Methodist churches in Centre County, Pennsylvania, were set deliberately, according to a U.S. federal agency. On Friday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), part of the U.S. Justice Department, confirmed that both incidents are being investigated as acts of arson. The agency is collaborating with police in Patton Township and Pennsylvania State Police on the investigation.

Details about the fires remain limited due to the ongoing inquiry, and Patton Township Police have not provide a statement..

The first fire happened at Woodycrest United Methodist Church in Patton Township, Pennsylvania. The fire, which broke out on September 14, caused serious damage to the sanctuary. The building was heavily affected by fire, smoke, and water damage, leading to its closure. A firefighter from Alpha Fire Co. received minor injuries to his hand and was treated at a local hospital. No one was inside the church when the fire began. Woodycrest, which was constructed in 1936 and has about 50 members, is now seeking donations to aid in the rebuilding process.

Pastor Renee Ford emphasized on the church’s website that despite the destruction of the physical building, the community remains strong. “We always say the church is not a building; the church is the people,” Ford stated, highlighting that the congregation’s work will continue despite the loss.

The second incident occurred in October at the former Fillmore United Methodist Church. The building, which had not been used as a church for several years and was functioning as a recreation centre, suffered a partial roof collapse. Investigators suspect arson since the fire seemed to have started outside the building. There were no injuries, and the building was empty at the time of the fire.

Authorities have not confirmed if the two fires are related.

Woodycrest United Methodist Church has established a Church Restoration Fund to collect financial contributions. The donations will go towards expenses not covered by insurance during the rebuilding process. The church is also requesting prayers and seeking volunteers to help with recovery efforts. Specific needs for volunteers will be updated on the church’s website as the restoration progresses.

U.S. Criminals smash windows, spread paint in California church building

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JANET JOHNSON-TREMBLAY

Vandals in the U.S. targeted the building sanctuary of First Church of the Nazarene in Bakersfield, California.

Police in California were called to the church on Sept. 21, 2022 after graffiti, broken windows and overturned pews were discovered at the house of worship.

Volunteers from other congregations have helped clean up most of the damage.

Police in Bakersfield have not yet determined who is responsible for the criminal attack on the church.