By Olivia Obijiaku
The Maiden Edition of the Magazine for Fellowship of Catholic Postgraduate Students (FCPS), Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish was launched in the parish on Sunday, 29th September, 2024. The Magazine titled That I May Know Him and themed Challenges of the Catholic Church in the 21st Century: Balancing Faith and Practice was edited by Olivia Obijiaku.
Featuring more than fifty articles gathered by contributors from over eight dioceses from within and outside the country – including nine interviews, the one hundred and forty pages Magazine also contains contributions from four Chief Communicators of the following Archdioceses and Diocese: Kaduna, Very Rev Fr. Dr. Philip M.A Gaiya (Vicar General of Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna and Chairman, The Cross News Publication); Abuja, Rev Fr. Kenneth Agwu (Editor-in Chief, The Good Shepherd Newspaper, Abuja); Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Dr. George Adimike (Director of Communication, Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha and Press Secretary to the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Maduka Okeke); and Ekwulobia, Rev Fr. Peter Nwobodo (Editor, Maranatha Newspaper, Maranatha Multimedia, Ekwulobia).
Interviews with the Catholic Bishop of Zaria, Most Rev Dr. Habila Tyiakwonaboi Daboh; the Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan, Most Rev Dr. Julius Yakubu Kundi; FCPS Founder, Very Rev Fr. (Prof) Joseph Haruna Mamman; FCPS Chaplain, Very Rev Fr. (Prof) Peter Bauna Tanko; Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Zaria, and Pioneer Director, CATHDIZA Integrated Farms Nig. Ltd., Very Rev Fr. Michael Pius Kagarko; Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Zaria and Chairman, Marriage Tribunal of the diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Isek; Ezeigbo II of Zaria, Igwe VI Unogu (KSM); immediate past Chairman of the Parish Council, Prof CE Gimba, and Director of Gender Policy, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. (Mrs.) Eugenia Akpa explored issues Youth and the Church, New Evangelization; marriage, ecumenism, entrepreneurship, knighthood and tradition, gender and domestic violence among others.
The following articles: Theological Appraisal of the Operations of the Holy Spirit in the Wave of Pentecostalism: Rev Fr. Barr Anthony Ezeoke; Understanding the Church’s Teaching on Self Defense – Rev Fr. Benedict Nkom; Rerum Novarum: The Response to 21st Century Questions – late Barr Mike; Recapturing the Virtue of Modesty in Dressing: A Call to Duty – Rev Fr. Sampson Ogbuebuna; Coping with Sexual Abuse and Scandals in the Church – Anulika Okpalanozie; Evangelization: The Church Exists to Disseminate the Gospel to All – Rev Fr. Sebastian Vincent; Psycho-Spiritual Counseling: A Tripod Stool for a Life of Balance – Rev Fr. Istifanus Katung; Echoes of the Pioneer Bishop of Zaria, Late Most Rev Dr. George Jonathan Dodo – Olivia Obijiaku; Perception and Exposition of the Catholic Knighthood: A Tested Faith – Emmanuel Gandu; The Catholic Church in the 21st Century: Overcoming Challenges in Africa and the Western World – Dr. Hanley Bingari; and Women to Women Oppression: Bane of Growth and Development in the Church – Judith Boman; Listening in an Unwelcoming Culture: A Pathway Way to Peaceful Coexistence – Prof EC Okolocha; and St Joseph: The Model Father – Prof Peter Rekwot also added lasting faith value to the Magazine.
This is in addition to a special session with Fr. Adimike on Faithspiration. Therein the prolific writer explores some tropical issues through Mary, The Mother of Christ and Not His Surrogate Mother; Sunday Eucharistic Obligation: Online Mass Versus Physical Participation; Digital Footprints: The Internet Neither Forgives Nor Forgets; Fratelli Tutti: Theology as Imperative for Universal Brotherhood; Mysticism, Activism and Christianity: Why Pray if You Can Work; and Tithes and Conversion of Material Wealth to Spiritual Capital – among others.
Speaking on the Magazine, the chaplain said, “I have the magazine already. I have seen so many articles on tropical issues. If you buy it, you may not read all now. There are topic therein that you will need in future. Sometimes, you may be called to give a talk in the Church and you may find some of those topics already treated somewhere. So, you need to just pause and add your own because research is about hearing what others have said on a particular topic, giving your own stand. That Magazine is well documented. So, please, it is something you can buy and use now and use again and be able to refer to in future. It is something you can keep for future use and for your children also when they grow up.”
Just before praying over the Magazines, the celebrating priest, Rev Fr. Ezra Daniel Jatau, of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan lamented decline in reading culture both within and outside the Church even as he canvassed patronage for the ‘rich Magazine.’
Aside the reservoir of knowledge that the magazine has become, it will continue to be a reference material for researchers and a means of income for the Fellowship.
