NEWS
UPDATE:
Pope's Visit to Nigeria
and Beatification of Father
Tansi (3)
NEWS
UPDATE:
Pope's Visit to Nigeria
and Beatification of Father
Tansi (3)
 Welcoming the Pope |
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 Praying With the Pope |
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By Ian Stewart Associated Press Writer Sunday, March 22, 1998
ONITSHA, Nigeria (AP) -- Trudging diligently, running happily or riding in crammed buses, hundreds of thousands of Nigerians streamed Sunday to hear Pope John Paul II's message to their suffering country. Children in Sunday-best outfits sang and danced as they made their way slowly toward the site of the Pope's open-air Mass outside this Niger River port city. Pounding the pavement in a rhythmic, bouncing trot, hundreds of teen-agers chanted and punched their fists in the air happily. It was rare moment of celebration in a country hurting from political strife, rampant crime and corruption.
``My prayers are that he will bring us peace,'' said 23-year-old Ugwuanyi Evenin, who walked at least 10 miles with her father to see the Pope. ``This is twice he comes to Nigeria -- that means he likes the Nigerian people.''
John Paul, on his second trip to Nigeria, is preaching peace and harmony here -- a signal to the country's harsh and unforgiving military regime. On Saturday, he strongly urged Nigerians to respect human rights and the Vatican asked Nigeria to release about 60 prisoners, including well-known opposition figures. The outspoken leaders of Nigeria's Roman Catholics -- about 10 percent of the population -- say the pope's visit comes at a critical time.
When the pope came here in 1982, a civilian government was in power and the people were filled with hope, said Monsignor Hilary Odili Okeke. ``There has been a shift in Nigeria that is so different from when the pope came here before,'' Okeke said. ``Our people are hurting and this is a pope that will speak out when he sees injustice.''
Since seizing power in 1993, Nigeria's military leader Gen. Sani Abacha has jailed his opponents by the hundreds, ordered extrajudicial killings and stifed dissent. Thousands of police and army troops spread out through Onitsha, fearing protests against the government. In bright orange shirts, police manned roadblocks and checkpoints.
Scattered throughout the crowd, stern soldiers, with assault rifles slung over their shoulders, moved meancingly around. But for the vast crowds, hope and praise prevailed.
Garbed in a purple and yellow traditional long shirt emblazoned with the pope's face, Chief Thomas Ilo said the pope's visit would bring peace to Nigeria. ``This is so good for the people of Nigeria,'' he said.
During the Mass, John Paul will beatify Nigerian Father Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi -- the final step before sainthood. Huge portraits of Tansi and the pope lined the road leading to Onitsha's Oba airfield, the Mass site. Organizers said there was room for 350,000 people at the Mass, but the crowds clearly were far larger.
By the roadside, hundreds of enterprising merchants set up stalls selling papal and Nigerian flags, portraits of the pope, candles and crucifixes. A traffic jam miles long blocked the way to the airfield. In one battered old Mercedes, a group of nuns stopped to say some prayers and set out on foot for the final leg of the journey.
``This is a blessing for our country,'' said Okede Uzosike, a local businessman who camped out at near the airfield for days waiting for the pope's arrival. ``Our hearts are filled with joy that the holy Father has chosen to come to Nigeria again.''
By Victor L. Simpson Associated Press Writer Sunday, March 22, 1998
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) -- In spite of his frail health and Nigeria's stifling tropical heat, Pope John Paul II moved quickly to push for reconciliation in a land of harsh military rule.
Within an hour of arriving in Abuja on Saturday, John Paul called for Nigeria's generals to respect human rights. As he met with Nigerian leader Gen. Sani Abacha, the Vatican's secretary of state formally requested that the military government release some 60 prisoners, including well-known opposition leaders.
The Pope headed to the southeastern city of Onitsha on Sunday to celebrate an open-air Mass and perform the beatification of Father Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, a parish priest who later became a monk.
Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians streamed toward the Mass site Sunday morning, dancing, singing and thrusting their fists in the air joyously despite the miserable crowding.
``My prayers are that he will bring us peace,'' said Ugwuyani Evenin, 23, as she struggled through the crowd.
Tansi's beatification, the last step before his possible sainthood, is the official reason for John Paul's trip to Nigeria. But Roman Catholic officials hope he will succeed in persuading Abacha to relax his grip on the nation.
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls did not identify the specific prisoners on the list given Nigeria's rulers, but he said it includes ``all the names best known to the public.'' That description could include Moshood Abiola, who apparently won the country's 1993 elections before Abacha voided the results, jailed him and took power himself.
Abacha has promised that free and fair elections will be held this year and said the pope's visit came ``at a very critical moment in the implementation of our transition program.''
At a welcoming ceremony, Abacha said, ``We back your global campaign against injustice, dictatorship and global capitalism.''
Abacha greeted the pope with full military honors that included cannon salutes and a 100-piece band, as if to underscore the importance of the visit for Nigeria's tarnished international image.
Other Nigerians had a more emotional reaction. ``He is handsome and fine,'' said 15-year-old Vivian Egharevva, one of thousands of admirers who had gathered at the ceremonial gate to Abuja to watch the pope's motorcade in 95-degree heat. She was one of the few who got a good look at him. Most were disappointed when the motorcade drove off in an unexpected direction.
``We wanted so much to see him,'' Emmanuel Okafor said in disbelief. The burly pharmacist explained that his wife finally gave birth to a child in December, after 10 years of trying. He named the boy Chimaza Ekpele, meaning God Hears the Prayer. ``I promised to come thank the Holy Father,'' he said. ``Now how can I?''
Of Nigeria's 115 million people, 45 percent are Christian, 45 percent are Muslim and the remainder are animists or followers of other local religions.
ONITSHA, Nigeria (AP 22-MARCH 1998) Braving 100-degree heat, Pope John Paul II issued a powerful call for change Sunday in this country gripped by military rule, telling Nigerians to rid their society of "everything that offends human dignity or violates human rights."
Hundreds of thousands turned out for the papal Mass in the country's Roman Catholic heartland, a rare day of celebration for a hard-pressed people.
The pope preached from an altar beneath a thatched hut that faced a red dust bowl and beatified a priest, Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi.
Since John Paul arrived Saturday for a three-day visit, his message to the military regime that seized power in 1993 coup has been strikingly direct. The pope kept up the pressure in Sunday's Mass.
"All Nigerians must work to rid society of everything that offends the dignity of the human person or violates human rights," he said. "This means reconciling differences, overcoming ethnic rivalries and injecting honesty, efficiency and competence in the art of governing."
Starting before dawn, hundreds of thousands of people on foot, perched on motorbikes and crammed into buses converged on the Mass site, an airfield on the outskirts of Onitsha.
The road to the airport was lined with huge portraits of Tansi and the pope, and blocked by a miles-long traffic jam. In one battered old Mercedes, a group of nuns stopped to say some prayers and set out on foot for the final leg of the journey.
One after another, people praised the pope and urged him to help free their country from the shackles of a military junta that jails its opponents, kills at will and stifles opposition.
"My prayers are that he will bring us peace," said 23-year-old Ugwuanyi Evenin who walked at least 10 miles with her father to see the pope. "This is twice he comes to Nigeria, that means he likes the Nigerian people."
Noting the military junta's promise to hold elections later this year, John Paul drew applause when he said "there was no place" for abuse of power, misuse of authority or arbitrarily excluding individuals or groups from politics.
The promise of free elections has been met by wide skepticism. The last national elections, in 1993, were voided by the military government and the apparent winner, Moshood Abiola, was jailed and remains in custody.
John Paul flew here from Abuja, the capital, his helicopter setting off a swirl of red dust over well-wishers. The 77-year-old pope, beset by ailments in recent years, walked slowly in the West African heat around 100 degrees and 95-percent humidity.
He looked tired, but smiled and waved to the crowd. The crowd sang and danced and punched fists in the air in joyous expectation of hearing words of comfort and inspiration. The pope did not disappoint them, continuing his strong advocacy of human rights.
In the evening, returning to Abuja, the pope met with Islamic leaders and warned of the danger of religious fanaticism.
"Whenever violence is done in the name of religion, we must make it clear to everyone that in such instances we are not dealing with true religion," the pope said.
Muslims comprise about 45 percent of Nigeria's 115 million people. Roman Catholics make up about 10 percent and another 35 percent are adherents of other Christian denominations.
John Paul set down his agenda immediately upon arriving in Nigeria, first in an address at the airport welcoming ceremony and then in a meeting with Nigerian leader Gen. Sani Abacha.
Vatican officials pressed for the release of some 60 prominent Nigerians leading political opponents and journalists, hoping the government would show some leniency, as happened in Cuba, where Fidel Castro released 299 prisoners after the pontiff's January visit.
Abacha spokesman David Attah said Sunday that he could not comment on the release request, but papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said Nigerian officials had agreed to consider it.
The Sunday New Nigerian, the official newspaper for northern Nigeria, ran an editorial saying "We appeal to the head of state to use the occasion to make some pronouncements and take decisions on crucial national problems which would further endear him to Nigerians, and Nigeria to the international community."
The pope's second trip to Nigeria brings him to a country different from the land flush with oil revenue that he visited in 1982. Nigeria is mired in crime and tension and faces international scorn over its dismal human rights record.
Abacha's regime was denounced worldwide in 1995 after the execution of dissident author Ken Saro-Wiwa. In the weeks leading up to the pontiff's visit, dozens of government opponents and pro-democracy activists were thrown in jail or harassed, Human Rights Watch said.
The Vatican said Nigerian authorities have promised to consider the request, which it described as "an act of clemency on humanitarian grounds."
Tansi, the beatified priest, was honored for his holiness and commitment to the priesthood, on a continent where such a celibate life is often disparaged. Beatification is the final step before possible sainthood; Tansi would become the first Nigerian saint.
The pope, seeking to encourage his church throughout Africa, called the priest "a prime example of the fruits of holiness" which have grown in Africa since the early missionaries.
ABUJA, Nigeria (CNN) March 21, 1998-- Just hours after Pope John Paul II arrived in Nigeria Saturday, Vatican officials began pressing the country's military regime to release well-known opposition figures and journalists from prison.
While the pope was meeting privately with Nigerian leader Gen. Sani Abacha, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano handed a list of 60 names to Nigerian Foreign Minister Tom Ikimi, asking that clemency be extended to them.
Vatican officials didn't disclose what names were on their list, but papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said they include "all the names best known to the public." The best known of dozens of detainees are Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 elections and former military ruler Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo. Navarro-Valls said Ikimi assured Cardinal Sodano that the list would be studied and a response considered.
Amnesty International estimates that there are about 200 political prisoners being held in Nigeria. A similar request made to Cuban authorities during John Paul's sojourn there in January resulted in the eventual release of about 300 prisoners.
ABUJA, Nigeria (CNN) March 21, 1998-- The pope met with Gen. Abacha, a Muslim who seized power in a 1993 military coup, for about 30 minutes Saturday at the State House in the federal capital of Abuja.
Navarro-Valls did not give details of what was discussed during the meeting, but he did confirm that human rights were on the agenda. Abacha's regime has been internationally ostracized because of its human rights record, including jailings and executions of political dissidents.
Earlier, upon his arrival in Abuja, John Paul wasted no time in addressing the military government's approach to human rights. "You are all called to muster your wisdom and expertise in the difficult and urgent task of building a society that respects all its members in their dignity, their rights and their freedom," the pope said.
ABUJA, Nigeria (CNN) March 21, 1998-- The pope last traveled to Nigeria on a state visit in 1982, when the nation -- though struggling with corruption and widespread mismanagement of oil revenues -- was enjoying one of its few civilian governments since independence from Britain in 1960.
Less than two years after that visit, the military overthrew President Shehu Shagari and has been in power ever since.
This time, the pope's visit comes at the invitation of the Roman Catholic hierarchy in a country mired in crime and political tension, where Christians are a minority.
Of Nigeria's 115 million people, about 45 percent are Christian of various denominations, 45 percent Muslim and the remainder are adherents of local religions.
Abacha -- who voided the results of 1993 presidential elections, jailed Abiola and took power himself -- has promised to hold free and fair presidential elections in August.
"The Holy See hopes that the promises made will be fulfilled," Navarro-Valls said.
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP, March 21) -- Pope John Paul II began his visit to Nigeria Saturday with the Vatican pressing the nation's military regime to release dozens of prisoners -- including prominent opposition figures and journalists.
In what had been billed as a strictly pastoral visit to beatify a priest, the pope also urged all Nigerians to respect human rights and expressed hope the country's leader will follow through with promised elections.
Many hoped the pontiff would be able to persuade Nigerian leader Gen. Sani Abacha to show some leniency, as happened in Cuba where Fidel Castro released 299 political prisoners after the pontiff's January visit.
The West African nation's harsh climate was likely to be a strain on the frail 77-year-old pontiff. He was stooped when he walked slowly from the plane in 95-degree heat and spoke under a canopy that sheltered him from sand blown by strong desert winds.
``You are all called to muster your wisdom and expertise in the difficult and urgent task in building a society that respects all its members and their dignity,'' the pope said. Abacha, who seized control of Nigeria in 1993 and jailed the apparent winner of presidential elections, stood nearby as the pope spoke. ``We back your global campaign against injustice, dictatorship and global capitalism,'' Abacha said at the airport ceremony.
The pope's second trip to Nigeria brings him to a country different from the land flush with oil revenue that he visited in 1982. Nigeria is mired in crime and tension and faces international scorn over its dismal human rights record.
Abacha's regime was denounced worldwide in 1995 after the execution of dissident author Ken Saro-Wiwa. In the weeks leading up to the pontiff's visit, scores of government opponents and pro-democracy activists were thrown in jail or harassed, the Human Rights Watch group said.
The Vatican's request to release 60 prisoners was made by Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano and did not say what names were on the list.
Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the prisoners include ``all the names best known to the public.''
Navarro-Valls said Nigerian authorities have promised to consider the request, which he described as ``an act of clemency on humanitarian grounds.''
Navarro-Valls did not give details of a 30-minute meeting the pope had with Abacha on Saturday evening, but said human rights were among the topics.
In regards to Abacha's promise to hold democratic elections this year, the papal spokesman said, ``The Holy See hopes that the promises made will be fulfilled.'' After the meeting with Abacha, the pope walked slowly and leaned heavily on an ebony-and-ivory staff that was a gift from Nigeria.
During his arrival speech, John Paul took note of one of Abacha's efforts to improve Nigeria's standing -- its leadership of a West African force that restored the democratically elected leadership of Sierra Leone this year.
Many Nigerians had an emotional reaction to the pope. ``He is handsome and fine,'' said 15-year-old Vivian Egharevva, one of thousands who had gathered at the tall ceremonial gate to Abuja to watch the pope's motorcade arrive.
She was one of the rare ones who got a good look at the pope. Most were deeply disappointed when the motorcade went off in an unexpected direction.
``We wanted so much to see him,'' said Emmanuel Okafor, who said his wife finally gave birth in December, after 10 years of trying. He named the boy Chimaza Ekpele, meaning God Hears the Prayer.
``I promised to come thank the Holy Father,'' he said. ``Now how can I?''
Others were gathering in a huge field outside the capital where the pope is to hold an open-air Mass on Monday.
Vendors set up drink stands and there was a carnival atmosphere in the hot, dry expanses around the large, green-roofed dais where the pope will officiate.
``He has come to bless us,'' said 9-year-old Philip Akabuse, one of the early arrivals. ``Anything God wants me to do, I will do it.''
Of Nigeria's 115 million people, about 45 percent are Christian of various denominations, 45 percent Muslim and the remainder adherents of local religions.
On Sunday, the pope is to travel to the southeastern river port city of Onitsha for an open-air Mass beatifying Father Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, a parish priest who later became a monk.
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP, March 21) -- Calling himself a concerned friend of this land gripped by harsh military rule, Pope John Paul II urged Nigerians on Saturday to ``guarantee respect for human life and human rights.''
Gen. Sani Abacha, who seized control of sub-Saharan Africa's most populous country in 1993, stood nearby as the pope made his strong statement from a dais at the capital's international airport.
``You are all called to muster your wisdom and expertise in the difficult and urgent task in building a society that respects all its members and their dignity,'' the pope said, sheltered by a canopy from 95-degree heat and sand blown by a strong desert wind.
Nigeria's tough climate is likely to be strain on the pope, who is 77 and in frail health. He was stooped and walked slowly from the plane, then shook hands with hundreds of guests at the arrival ceremony.
The pope's second trip to Nigeria brings him to a country different than the land flush with oil revenue that he visited in 1982. Nigeria is mired in crime and tension and faces international scorn over its dismal human rights record.
Abacha's regime was denounced worldwide in 1995 after the execution of dissident author Ken Saro-Wiwa. In the weeks leading up to the pontiff's visit, scores of government opponents and pro-democracy activists were thrown in jail or harassed, the Human Rights Watch group said.
The pope met privately with Abacha on Saturday evening and many hoped he would be able to persuade the Nigerian leader to ease his grip, as happened in Cuba where Fidel Castro released 299 political prisoners after the pontiff's January visit.
John Paul took note of one of Abacha's efforts to improve Nigeria's standing -- its leadership of a West African force that restored the democratically elected leadership of Sierra Leone this year.
Abacha has promised that free and fair elections will be held this year and said the pope's visit came ``at a very critical moment in the implementation of our transition program.''
``We back your global campaign against injustice, dictatorship and global capitalism,'' Abacha said at the airport ceremony.
The pope's full military greeting, including cannon salutes and a 100-strong band, underlined the importance Abacha attaches to the visit, which officially is only for pastoral purposes.
Many Nigerians had an emotional reaction. ``He is handsome and fine,'' said 15-year-old Vivian Egharevva, one of thousands who had gathered at the tall ceremonial gate to Abuja to watch the pope's motorcade arrive.
She was one of the rare ones who got a good look at the pope. Most were deeply disappointed when the motorcade went off in an unexpected direction.
``We wanted so much to see him,'' said Emmanuel Okafor, who said his wife finally gave birth in December, after 10 years of trying. He named the boy Chimaza Ekpele, meaning God Hears the Prayer.
``I promised to come thank the Holy Father,'' he said. ``Now how can I?''
Others were gathering in a huge field outside the capital where the pope is to hold an open-air Mass on Monday.
Vendors set up drink stands and there was a carnival atmosphere in the hot, dry expanses around the large, green-roofed dais where the pope will officiate.
``He has come to bless us,'' said 9-year-old Philip Akabuse, one of the early arrivals. ``Anything God wants me to do, I will do it.''
Of Nigeria's 115 million people, about 45 percent are Christian of various denominations, 45 percent Muslim and the remainder adherents of local religions.
On Sunday, the pope is to travel to the southeastern river port city of Onitsha for an open-air Mass beatifying Father Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, a parish priest who later became a monk.
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