Did Francis really excommunicate the entire mafia from the Catholic Church?

The news that Pope Francis recently declared the mafia excommunicated from the Catholic Church is all over: "Those who in their life have gone along the evil ways, as in the case of the mafia, they are not with God, they are excommunicated," he said on Saturday in the Italian city of Calabria. 

Pope Francis made the remarks during an outdoor mass in Calabria, the power base of the notorious mafia crime syndicate known as the 'Ndrangheta. He was in the area to meet with the family of a three-year-old boy who was allegedly gunned down last year by the mafia. Nicola "Coco" Campolongo, along with his grandfather and another adult, were shot in their heads. The car they were in was reportedly doused in gasolin and set on fire.

Though his comments were harsh, they really shouldn't come as a shock. One of the defining themes of Francis' papacy has been his consistent call for economic justice, which, on many occasions, has manifested itself in his indictment of economic exploitation — something the mafia is known for. 

But Francis' critique of the mafia should not be seen as an official excommunication, according to Chad Pecknold, an assistant professor of theology at Catholic University of America. In Roman Catholicism, anofficial excommunication is a strict censure that deprives the excommunicated of fellowship with the rest of the Church body. When a Church member is excommunicated, she is not allowed to take communion. Excommunication, though severe, is not irreversible. According to Canon Law, the censure is "medicinal," meaning it's given to a Catholic in the hopes of urging him to repentance.

According to Pecknold, the Pope's comment was "just something he said in a homily — which is not a vehicle for disciplinary pronouncements." Further, excommunication is "only for individuals," and not entire organizations. Rather, said Pecknold, what Francis was doing was simply describing the "self-excommunication" the 'Ndrangheta is already experiencing because of their "serious sin."



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Five Journalists allegedly arrested in Ekiti State, as CDDPR reports impressive elections!

There is reports of assault and indiscriminate arrests of Journalists by security forces at the Ekiti governorship elections today in Ekiti State.

These security operatives include men of the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others. 

It was reported that security was tight in order to prevent a breakdown in law and order among the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Gov. Kayode Fayemi and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenger, former governor Ayo Fayose.

Five journalists, identified as Jadesola Ajibola of Inspiration FM, Toyin Yusuf, Oyetunji Ojo, Akin Ogunsola, and Aremu Awolola, all of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) were allegedly arrested by mobile Policemen.

News has it that the journalists were monitoring and reporting the governorship election in the state when they were arrested by a group of over 50 mobile policemen led by a Mobile Police Commander.

The reason for their arrest is unknown at the time of filing this report.

Also a YNaija.com reporter was allegedly assaulted by a military personnel while covering the accreditation process of the ongoing election.

This was however against the electoral report released by the "Centre for Democracy and Development Preliminary Report on the Ekiti Governorship Election which reads:

"Released 4:00 pm, June 21st, 2014

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD cddwestafrica.org) duly accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the Ekiti June 21st Governorship Election deployed one hundred and forty observers (140) across the sixteen (16) local governments in the state to observe the election. The campaign leading to the election has been heated and acrimonious.

For the purpose of the election, INEC had deployed 8,433 electoral officials to administer the election. INEC had also accredited 1,900 national and international observers for the polls. There was a massive deployment of security personnel all over the state and their presence was intimidating for many voters.

The administration of the election went very well. The logistics were well planned and there was timely arrival of electoral materials in most of the polling units visited. Subsequently the process of accreditation of voters started in most polling units between 08.00 and 08.30 am. Voting also commenced at about 12:30 pm in most of the polling units. Indeed, what we observed was that in the few cases where delays were noticed, it was due to the absence of security escorts to accompany INEC staff and sensitive voting materials. This was surprising given the massive presence of security personnel deployed for the election. An example is Aiyedade South Itaji Registration Area Camp (RA10) where as at 9.11 am, electoral officials were still awaiting the arrival of security agents to accompany them to their duty post, this challenge created apprehension in certain areas.

The voter’s turn out was impressive considering widespread concerns that people would be intimidated by the massive deployment of security personnel. The good turn out was a testimony to the civic consciousness of the people of Ekiti.

Our observers also noticed the harassment of some journalists. The first incident, we witnessed was an assault on a journalist at Ifaki Ekiti by some security personnel at 8.02 am. There were subsequent reports of arrests and intimidation of other journalists. Our observers also observed the arrest of a number of people caught sharing money in return for votes at several polling units.

Another observation from our team was the refusal of some electoral officials to allow relations of very old and physically challenged people to aid them to vote in compliance with the electoral laws and INEC guidelines, Secondly, the requirement on the removal of posters of candidates ahead of the elections was not complied with as posters of candidates were seen littering many polling units across the state.

The first results of concluded elections started coming into our situation room at 3pm and since then many more results have been coming in.

Idayat Hassan, Director, Centre for Democracy and Development".

Meet the World's ugliest dog!

A two-year-old dog called Peanut has been crowned the World's Ugliest Dog at the 26th edition of a contest held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds freakish-looking pets in Petaluma, California. 

Thought to be a Chihuahua-Shitzu mix, Peanut beat contenders with hunched backs and patchy coats to take the top prize at the annual gathering of the least pulchritudinous pooches on the planet.

Owners and judges agreed that Peanut's wild white and brown hair, bulging eyes and protruding teeth belied a sweet and energetic personality.

Peanut's owner, Holly Chandler, of Greenville, North Carolina, said he was seriously burned as a puppy and she wanted to use her pet to raise awareness about animal abuse.

She planned to use the $1,500 (£882) prize to pay for other animals' veterinary bills.

According to reports, the dogs are scored by a three-judge panel in several categories, including special or unusual attributes, personality and natural ugliness.

Arisekola to be buried on Friday!

News reaching us revealled that the remains of late business mogul and of Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao, will be buried on Friday, in Ibadan - Oyo State.

According to an announcement by the deceased’s family, the body of Mr. Arisekola-Alao will be brought to Nigeria on Thursday.

The Oyo State Government has declared Friday a public holiday in the state and the beginning of a seven-day mourning period, during which flags will fly at half-mast.

It was gathered that the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, and his wife, Florence; his deputy, Moses Adeyemo; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmmonu, as well as other lawmakers, were among the first people to pay condolence visits to the Mr. Arisekola-Alao’s house on Wednesday.

Until his death, the deceased was the deputy leader of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA. 

Mr. Arisekola-Alao died on Wednesday at the age of 62.

CIA hatched plan to make demon toy to counter bin Laden influence!

It has been revealed that since about 2005, the CIA began secretly developing a custom-made Osama bin Laden action figure, according to people familiar with the project, the faces of the figures were painted with a heat-dissolving material, designed to peel off and reveal a red-faced bin Laden who looked like a demon, with piercing green eyes and black facial markings.

The goal of the short-lived project was believed to spook children and their parents, causing them to turn away from the actual bin Laden.

The code-name for the bin Laden figures was “Devil Eyes,” to create these, it was gathered that the CIA turned to one of the best minds in the toy business, said those familiar with the project, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the project publicly.

culled

Unveiling a new secret to a super star lighter shade skin!

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However in larger amounts as contained in PERFECT WHITE, it has been proven to offer these benefits - It works from the inside out to provide a LIGHTER SHADE to the skin, unlike topical bleaching agents which are harmful to the skin - It evenly tones the skin, giving it a healthier, smoother, clearer, and flawless complexion - Since its 100% natural, it has ZERO SIDE EFFECTS.

Perfect White is the secret to those flawless celebrity skin you see. It's easy to use as they are just pills, active ingredients which works without the use of body cream, and result of a lighter shade flawless skin is guaranteed within a minimum of 5 days and maximum of 2 weeks. 

The lighter skin tone doesn't change whether one discontinue use of Glutathione or not. Cost is very affordable.

So ladies......go get yours, for that dream skin you have been longing for!

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Victoria Beckham shows off dress worn on her first date with David!

Victoria Beckham shows off the dress she wore on her first date with David Beckham.



Her tweet below:

"Look what I found! The dress I wore on my first date with David!! X so cute!!"