The Filipino Migrants: Pope's Day

The Pope's Day

‘To a humble man of courage who loves to encourage all men and women of our time not to be overwhelmed by the tribulations of local conflicts and challenging delicate questions posed by a society that seems to have lost the importance of the strict relation between faith and reason’ – the Papal Nuncio, HE Augustine Kasujja on Pope Benedict the XVI

The Holy See celebrated the 7^th anniversary of the election of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the 19^th of April, 2012 and His Holiness’ 85th birthday (3 days earlier) held at The Apostolic Nunciature, Abuja, Nigeria. The then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and former Archbishop of Munich was elected to succeed Pope John Paul ll upon the latter’s death on the 2^nd of April 2005.

The annual reception was attended by the Minister of State 1, MFA, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, the director for Western Europe Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Uche Ajulu-Okeke, Ambassadors, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations and the clergy.

Everybody knows all too well the challenges facing the host nation. Such challenges affect not only the very good people of Nigeria but also the entire expatriate community.

'It seems as if a shadow has fallen over our time, preventing us from clearly seeing the light of day.'

The Papal Nuncio quoted Pope Benedict XV1 (World Day of Peace, January 1, 2012) once more affirming that God is love. He further called on every person of goodwill not to cede to the temptation of being self-centered but to feel a common responsibility to work together for a brighter future for all.

The Pope cherishes Nigeria. The all-too-real-threat of violent elements that had repeatedly manifested in the bomb blasts especially in the North and in Abuja, deeply saddened him. In his Easter Message Urbi et Orbi 2012, he prayed that God may grant Nigeria 'the strength needed to take up anew the building of a society which is peaceful and respectful of the religious freedom of its citizens.'

Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the Pope's collaborator in the field of Inter religious Dialogue stayed in Nigeria for 9 days last month conducting meetings and encouraging Muslims and Christian leaders alike in Abuja, Lagos, Jos, Sokoto, Kafanchan and Onitsha.

As the Pope cherishes Nigeria, so does Nigeria cherish the ties with the Holy Father and the Holy See as a whole. For the first time, a Nigerian Ambassador accredited to the Holy See with residence in the Vatican has been appointed.

The reception was such a joyous occasion. At the onset, the Nuncio was quite worried of the threatening dark clouds a sure prelude to a downpour. Sr. Marilou 'predicted' that NO rain during the reception is allowed. And so it was!

...a special cake for the celebration as presented by Sir Damien and Dame Esther Uduehi

...beautifully decorated cake


...and a Birthday Cake for the Pope's birthday from Loretta of NNPC

The Nunciature Choir sang for the first time the Pontifical Hymn and the Nigerian National Anthem

...just checking the time: the Papal Nuncio HE Augustine Kasujja, Msgr. John and Rev. Fr. Andrew

...the hosts joined by Fr. Raymond


...invited guests; the Catholic Relief Services representative of the US Embassy welcomed by the hosts...

...arrival of guests - the Ambassador of Slovak Republic; the Deputy Chief of Mission/Consul -General Philippine Embassy; the High Commissioner of Malaysia; and a lady guest

...diplomats...HE Mr. Alvaro Castillo Aguilar, Spanish ambassador; Hon. Com. of Benin Republic; and Fr. Ralph Madu of Catholic Secretariat in-charge of Social Communication with Bishop Martin of Minna Diocese

...as OFWs Engr. Mercado, Mr. Barraquias and wife Dorothy served aperitifs, and appetizers

Charge d'Affaires of Algeria; diplomats; Mr. James P. McAnulty

...Lebanese Ambassador; Czech Republic Ambassador; guests mingling

Mrs. Angelika Scholz, wife of the Austrian ambassador with Sr. Marilou; Ambassador of Finland and husband; priest of the Catholic Secretariat and a guest; HE Nyahuma Obika, High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago and wife

The Philippine Ambassador HE Nestor Padalhin with Iraqi Ambassador Dr. Ali Abbas Bander Al-Amery; Mr. Mathias Veltin, Deputy Head of Mission of Germany with CRS representative; Egyptian Ambassador; the Portuguese Ambassador and the Korean Ambassador

...guests; High Commissioner of Australia; Mexican diplomat

...the Philippine Ambassador HE Nestor Padalhin with the priest from the Catholic Secretariat

Portuguese Ambassador, Malaysian High Commissioner HE Mr. Nik Mustafa Kamal bin Nik Ahmed with Philippine Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul-General Alex V. Lamadrid; Barr. and Mrs. Ugbizi

Cross-section of guests...; Atty. Frank Chude; Lay Joanne Osunde of Holy Family Society

The Nunciature Choir in their rendition of the Pontifical Hymn and the Nigerian National Anthem, duly admired and applauded by the guests

...the Bishop of Minna with Nigerian Chief of Staff and the Minister of State1

The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja calling on 'every person of goodwill not to cede to temptation of being self-centered...'

The Minister of State I, MFA, Prof. Viola Onwuliri delivering her speech while the Papal Nuncio and the Chief of Staff looked on. She admitted that she's happy to speak on this day as she was also a speaker in the Islamic Republic of Iran the previous day.

Blessing led by the Bishop of Minna

...a toast as proposed by the Papal Nuncio: in honor of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XV1, for the good health and success of his universal mission; to the excellent relations between Nigeria and the Holy See; to His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and to the Nigerian people for their prosperity and peace.

...joined by the guests

...Cake cutting ceremony led by the Papal Nuncio duly assisted by the Minister, Auxiliary Archbishop of Abuja Anselm Umorem, Chief of Staff and Bishop of Minna

Dinner time; Cameroon High Commissioner Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahim with Mrs. Marisa Mercado of the Austrian Embassy

...(uppermost pix) Former IG - Dir. Mike Okiro and the Nigerian President's Chief of Staff Mike Oghiedome; Sr. Marilou and Mrs. Amparo Ronquillo of the Italian Embassy and the Pauline Sisters

Sisters-in-law Amparo Ronquillo of the Italian Embassy and Marisa Mercado of the Austrian Embassy

...behind the scene: OFWS at work - Angelica Alcaria of British White Plains College, Dorothy Barraquias of Ireland Embassy, Teresita Azarcon of Abuja Capital International College; Lito Nucum, Cost Comptroller of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Co, Khaye Dador of Churchgate Co, with Sister Aurea

James Valenzuela of the Philippine Embassy, Sister MaryGrace, Sister Eflaida, Dorothy with Gladys

...and finally at THE PINOY CORNER (coined by Msgr. John as he 'lectures' Ampy, Engr. Sherwin of Dantata & Sawoe and Angie; Fr. Andrew - that's Lito clowning around, Sherwin and Maris busy with the stomach progress; Msgr. John 'analyzing' the bottle contents