"Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria said ..."

Adapted from the Jesuit America, October 20, 2008.

Bishops Stress Bible - Related Priorities

"Translating the Bible, making copies affordable, helping people live its message are important tasks for the Catholic Church, although the priorities differ from continent to continent.

"Before individuals began addressing the Synod of Bishops, synod organizers chose five bishops to report Oct. 6 [2008] on The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

"The Vatican released four of the reports early on Oct. 7; the report on the Americas was not immediately available.

"Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria said most African Catholics were thirsting for the word of God.

"While the archbishop praised the remarkable work done by mainline Protestant churches and organizations to translate, print and distribute Bibles in Africa, he also said there were many anti - Catholic, fundamentalists groups using the Bible to try to lead Catholic away from the church."

BUT!

If all this true, just what is archbishop of Abuja's fellow countryman doing -- if anything -- to combat this problem coming from within his own ranks here at Saint Mary Magdalene's? (heh, heh, heh!)

Because here in Brackettville, Catholic Santero parishioners claim to have been told by one (or more) of our own deacons that going to the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah's Witness in Del Rio is just fine, and so yeah!

"Bring their ideas to your next 'Parish Faith (ha! ha!) Sharing' meeting on premises. No one will be allowed to question you."