*Port Harcourt, March 5, 2025* – The Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt, joined the universal Church in marking the sacred beginning of Lent with the solemn observance of Ash Wednesday. At the Obehie Campus, the Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr. George Ashigame, a student priest of the Archdiocese of Abuja, with an impressive sanctuary presence of over twenty-six concelebrating priests. The Ash Wednesday Mass, by its unique character, defers the Penitential Rite until the distribution of ashes, setting a reflective tone for the season.  

In his homily, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Paul Kankai of Kafanchan Diocese expounded on the Gospel reading, presenting Christ as the new Moses, the definitive teacher of divine law. He challenged the faithful to go beyond conventional Lenten sacrifices of food and pleasure, calling instead for a renunciation of destructive habits and attitudes that erode Christian virtue.  

At the distribution of ashes, the CIWA chapel, renowned for its strictly Catholic identity, saw an influx of Christian faithful from various denominations, drawn by the penitential significance of the rite. Meanwhile, Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Otu, Head of the Department of Spiritual Theology and priest of Lokoja diocese,  reminded all of the forthcoming Lenten retreat for students, academic, and non-academic staff, scheduled for Friday, March 7, 2025, on CIWA Port Harcourt and Obehie campuses. This will be the second retreat in the 2024/2025 academic session, following the one held in September 2024.  

In Uromi Diocese, the Month’s Mind Mass for the late Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Cosmas Aluede Ojemen was held on March 3, 2025, in honour of the distinguished academic and priest. In the same diocese,  Rev. Fr. Francis Agbeboaye, chairman of the Jubilee Planning Committee, has announced the Eucharistic Congress for the Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope, to be held at the Seminary of All Saints from March 14 to March 15, 2025, beginning at 3:00 PM daily. The seminary, which recently hosted the Nigeria All Seminaries Festival of Arts and Cultures, is set to welcome clergy, seminarians, and the lay faithful for this significant ecclesiastical gathering.  

However, amid these sacred observances, Ash Wednesday brought a pall of grief to the Diocese of Kafanchan with the tragic news of the murder of Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu. The Parish Priest of St. Mary Catholic Church, Tachira, Kaura LGA, Kaduna State, was abducted from his residence on March 4, 2025, and killed in the early hours of March 5. Born on December 11, 1980, and ordained on February 11, 2021, Fr. Okechukwu's untimely death casts a somber shadow over the Lenten season.  

In Auchi Diocese, anxiety continues to mount over the abduction of Fr. Philip Ekweli and a seminarian, who were taken from their residence on the night of March 4, 2025. As of this report, no contact has been made with the abductors, and the diocese has called for fervent prayers for their safe return.  

Meanwhile, in Vatican City, the Holy See Press Office confirmed that despite ongoing health concerns, Pope Francis reached out to the Catholic parish in Gaza on Ash Wednesday, offering words of solace and encouragement. The Pontiff's clinical condition remains stable, with no new respiratory episodes reported. Despite his ailments, the Holy Father has continued his pastoral and administrative duties, embodying steadfast commitment to the Church.