Onitsha, 18 May, 2025 / 10:39 pm (ACI Africa).
The passing on of seven members of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap.) in Nigeria, in a road accident on May 3 should not be a reason for despair inasmuch as it is a blow to the global Order, the homilist at the Funeral Mass of the late OFM Cap. members has said.
In his homily at St. Francis of Assisi Nkwele-Ezunaka Friary in Nigeria’s Anambra State served by the Catholic Diocese of Aguleri, Fr. Charles Mary Eke said that while death is tragic and painful, it is not the end for those who belong to Christ.
“Our order, the Capuchin Order in Nigeria, is broken. We don't know how to interpret this, but then we have the key to interpretation,” Fr. Eke said during the Friday, May 16 Funeral Mass.
He emphasized, “Our brothers who have embraced Christ and have lived … according to the spirit; they are now with Christ. That is the recompense for listening to the gospel.”
The seven late OFM Cap. Members, Fr. Eke went on to say, “sacrificed their lives for Christ. They delivered the Sacraments, preached the Gospel, reached out to the poor and the abandoned, because they knew one day they would give account of their Priesthood.”
