By Olivia Obijiaku
The Cathedral Administrator of Christ the King Catholic Cathedral (CKCC), Sabon Gari Zaria, Very Rev Fr. Samuel Ameh has explained why the Catholic Church prays for the dead. The priest disclosed this in the cathedral at the Mass of Wake for late Mr. Ebenezer Uche Chukwu, Wednesday, 9th 0ctober 2024.
He referenced 2 Maccabees 12:39- 46 in asserting that those who die in venial sin or those who have pending penance can gain admittance into heaven through the prayerful intercession of the Church Militant.
“We Catholics believe in praying for the dead.” He admitted. “We pray for the dead because of our belief in purgatory. Purgatory is a state of purification for those who died in venial sins and for those who did not do sufficient penance (CCC 1030). So, they go to purgatory where they are purified and purged of any sin before they enter into heaven.”
“You will not see the word, ‘Purgatory’ in the scripture but there are pointers to purgatory – ‘There is sin that leads to death and there is sin that does not lead to death (cf. 1 Jn. 5:16-17). Mortal sin is the sin that leads to dead. There is no remedy when one dies in mortal sin. But venial sin does not lead to death. When one dies in venial sin, they need to go to purgatory for purification”
“The dead need our prayer. Praying for the dead is scriptural as we heard in the 1st reading (2 Maccabees 12:39- 46), Judas Maccabeus prayed for his men who died in battle – he had to offer prayer for the forgiveness of their sins. It is because of our belief that we are here this evening to pray for the soul of Ebenezer Uche Chukwu.”
“We believe that our prayer here can help him where he is now. The best gift you can give to Ebenezer now is prayer. There is nothing else you can do that will be more helpful and beneficial to him than praying for him. The flowers or wreath on the grave will fade away but prayers do not fade away. So, when you say one Hail Mary for Ebenezer, it will last till eternity. Prayer has lasting value.”
“During his time on earth as human, Ebenezer fell short of the glory of God. In our journey of life, we too fall short of the glory of God. But there is a danger that confronts us in this journey today – the danger of losing the sense of sin. We live comfortably in mortal sin that we do not see a need for sacramental confession. That is why somebody can stay ten years, five years, two years without seeing the need to go for confession.”
“My dear people of God, it is not good for our soul to remain in mortal sin. It is dangerous. The death of Ebenezer should remind us of our own death and bring us to repentance so that we will receive the forgiveness of God. He is ever ready to forgive us. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:8-9). We who are alive have the opportunity for repentance. Let us use it very well.”
Consoling the bereaved family, the priest told them God knows about his demise, recalling that, “It was like a normal day. The father told me that Ebenezer was at the Mass that Sunday. So that day, Ebenezer woke up, as a normal day for him. He came to Church, attended Mass, after the Mass, he went home. But unknown to him that was the day that God has chosen for him to leave this world.”
Fr. Ameh charged those present at the Mass to be conscious of death at all times. He also nudged parents to teach their children the importance of praying for the dead so that they (their children) may pray for them when the need arises.
Late Chukwu died on Sunday, October 29, 2024 at the age of thirty-two. From Amoli Town, Awgu L.G.A, Chukwu left father, Evang Christopher Sunday Chukwu, mother and sisters to mourn him.
