Trinitas Newspaper

Pope Leo XIV hosts Archbishop of Canterbury,urges cooperation from Catholics and Anglicans to overcome
differences

By Ononye VC

Head of Roman Catholic Church world wide,His Holiness Pope Leo XVI, has said that Anglicans and Catholics must continue working together to overcome their differences.
The Pontiff spoke while playing host to the new Archbishop of Canterbury,Most Rev Sarah Mullally at the Vatican for the first time.
With the hosting of the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope Leo XIV encourages Catholics and Anglicans to proclaim Christ to the world together, working to overcome any differences and challenges
While Pope Leo XIV was holding an audience with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, he prayed with her in the Urban VIII Chapel in the Apostolic Palace.
In his greetings, the Pope shared his joy to receive the Archbishop during the Easter season, recalling the historic encounter between Pope St. Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey, which took place 60 years ago.
He also expressed appreciation for the ministry of the Anglican Centre in Rome, greeting its Director, Bishop Anthony Bell, who represents the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Holy See.
Pope Leo then shared his Eastertide greeting of Christ’s peace, which he said offers an invitation to all Christians.
“I have often mentioned that the peace of the risen Jesus is ‘unarmed’,” he said. “This is because He always responded to violence and aggression in an unarmed way, inviting us to do likewise.”
Among Christians, he added, divisions weaken our ability to effectively bear Christ’s peace to the world.
“If the world is to take our preaching to heart,” he said, “we must, therefore, be constant in our prayers and efforts to remove any stumbling blocks that hinder the proclamation of the Gospel.”
Pope Leo recalled the many decades of efforts of theological dialogue between Catholics and Anglicans that have been made along the path to restore “complete communion in faith and sacramental life.”
Despite its complexity, he said, this ecumenical journey has borne fruit regarding various historically divisive issues, noting that the Anglican Communion is currently facing “many of these same questions at this time.”
“Nevertheless, we must not allow these continuing challenges to prevent us from using every possible opportunity to proclaim Christ to the world together,” he said.
Recalling the words of Pope Francis to Primate of the Anglican Communion in May 2024, the Pope said it “would be a scandal if, due to our divisions, we did not fulfill our common vocation to make Christ known.”
“For my part,” said Pope Leo, “I add that it would also be a scandal if we did not continue to work towards overcoming our differences, no matter how intractable they may appear.”
Concluding his address, the Pope thanked Archbishop Mullally for her visit and prayed that Anglicans and Catholics continue to journey together in friendship and dialogue, guided by the Holy Spirit.

Cardinal Ernest Simoni Presents Relic of Albanian Martyrs to Pope Leo XIV

By Charles Igwe

Cardinal Ernest Simoni, widely known for his witness of faith under communist persecution, has presented a relic of Albanian martyrs to Pope Leo XIV during a private audience at the Vatican, in a moment that underscored the enduring legacy of sacrifice and fidelity within the Church.

The meeting, held on April 26, 2026, brought together the elderly cardinal and the Pope in a deeply symbolic encounter that reflected on the suffering of Christians under the former regime of Enver Hoxha. During the audience, Cardinal Simoni presented a cross alongside a relic of Albanian martyrs, describing them as men and women who remained steadfast in their faith even unto death, offering their lives in witness to Christ.

The occasion was attended by members of the cardinal’s family, adding a personal dimension to the encounter. Speaking afterward, Cardinal Simoni expressed profound joy at meeting the Pope, describing the moment as an opportunity to reaffirm a message of peace, love, and fraternity in a world still marked by division and suffering.

Cardinal Simoni’s life story gave particular weight to the event, as he himself endured years of persecution under Albania’s former atheist regime. Ordained a priest in 1956, he was arrested in 1963 and initially sentenced to death, a sentence later commuted to years of forced labour. He spent nearly two decades in prison, where he remained faithful to his priestly calling despite harsh conditions, reportedly celebrating Mass in secret at a time when religious practice was strictly forbidden.

Even after his release, he continued to live out his vocation quietly, becoming a lasting symbol of resilience and commitment to faith. His testimony has since been recognised within the Church as a powerful reminder of the cost of discipleship and the strength of belief in the face of oppression.

The presentation of the relic during the audience served as a bridge between past and present, linking the witness of those who suffered for their faith with the Church’s ongoing mission in contemporary society. It highlighted the continuity of a tradition rooted in sacrifice, while also pointing toward a future shaped by hope and perseverance.

Nigerian Court Bars Police, FRSC From Imposing Fines On Motorists Over Third-Party Insurance

By Ononye VC
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has barred the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps from imposing fines on motorists over third-party motor insurance without a valid court order.
The ruling, delivered on Friday by Justice Hauwa Yilwa, followed a suit filed by an activist and human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, challenging what he described as the unlawful imposition of penalties by enforcement agencies.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/291/2025, Adeyanju dragged the Inspector-General of Police and other defendants before the court, seeking judicial clarification on whether security agencies possess the legal authority to sanction motorists over compliance with third-party insurance requirements.
Delivering judgment, Justice Yilwa drew a sharp legal distinction between enforcement and punishment, holding that while the police and FRSC retain the power to stop vehicles and verify insurance compliance, they lack the statutory authority to impose fines without recourse to the court.
“The agencies can enforce compliance but cannot arrogate to themselves the powers of a court by imposing fines,” counsel to the plaintiff, Marvin Omorogbe, told journalists after the proceedings.
The court subsequently restrained the police, the FRSC, and their officers nationwide from issuing fines to motorists over third-party insurance violations, a practice widely criticised by road users as arbitrary and exploitative.
Reacting to the judgment, Adeyanju said the ruling vindicated concerns raised by citizens over what he described as systemic abuse of power by law enforcement officials.
“The sole purpose of this suit was to establish that these agencies do not have the legal right to impose fines on Nigerians. The court has now made that clear,” he said.
However, the defendants signalled their intention to challenge the ruling. Counsel to the defence, Victor Okoye, argued that the case was improperly initiated and that the court lacked jurisdiction, noting that the originating summons procedure adopted by the plaintiff was flawed.
“We are likely to approach the Court of Appeal to determine whether this matter was competently brought before the court,” Okoye said.
Despite the pushback, the court proceeded with its decision, reinforcing that enforcement agencies must operate within defined legal limits and cannot unilaterally punish alleged offenders without judicial backing.

Governor Soludo honours COOU valedictorian with N4 million cash prize

By Ononye VC
A first class graduate of the department of economics, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University,Anambra State, Umeh Augustus Somtochukwu,(2025/2026 session)has been honoured by the governor of Anambra State,Professor Chukwuma Soludo.He did not only distinguish himself as the best in his department but also emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of the University, graduating with an exceptional CGPA of 4.85.
His remarkable academic feat drew admiration from the Governor of Anambra State and Visitor to the University, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who reflected on his own student years, noting the striking parallel of also graduating with First-Class honours as the best student in the same Department of Economics.
In recognition of this outstanding achievement, the Governor rewarded Mr. Umeh Somtochukwu with a ₦4 million cash prize, a guaranteed employment opportunity, and a fully funded scholarship to any public university of his choice, covering his academic journey from Master’s degree to Ph.D level.
Beyond this, Mr. Umeh received several additional monetary awards, amassing a total of approximately ₦7 million during the Convocation Ceremony held on 26th April, 2026 at the ETF Auditorium.
His success story stands as a powerful validation of the transformative 3Vs agenda; Values, Viability, and Visibility championed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha. This was evident in his valedictory address, where he recounted how, despite many students shying away from Economics in his first year, he consciously chose to build value around himself and his discipline. His journey underscores the belief that excellence is intentional, that one can attain visibility through dedication, and in doing so, secure both present relevance and future viability.
Congratulations to Mr. Umeh Augustus Somtochukwu
And appreciation to the Visitor of the University, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo