Enugu Bishop Bans Funeral Mass During Christmas, Easter Celebrations
The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Enugu State, has banned celebration of Masses for deceased members whose bodies are deposited in mortuaries within period of this year's Christmas celebrations.
... Says diocesans postpone burials, funerals to disrupt Church activities during Christmas, Easter
The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Enugu State, has banned celebration of Masses for deceased members whose bodies are deposited in mortuaries within period of this year's Christmas celebrations.
The church, however, however, said that those died and their bodies are buried within 48 hours of their demise are from the ban are exempted, as burial masses would be celebrated for the repose of their souls.
Bishop of Nsukka Catholic Diocese, Enough State, His Grace, Most Reverend Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, gave the directive, published in the November 30, 2025, Sunday Bulletin of the Church at Nsukka.
The directive was titled, "Periods of Burial And Funeral."
Also, in his sermon, Onah urged the faithful to stay awake so as to be ready, to defend themselves when the enemy come unannounced
Onah's statement banning burial Mass during Christmas and Easter read, "Father bishop has directed that except burials that take place immediately, that is within 48 hours of death; Christian burials and Funerals are not to be celebrated in our diocese on those days or periods in the Church's liturgical calendar, when funeral Masses are not allowed and during the Holy Week, Easter Octave and from December 17 to first January (inclusive). This is because, Liturgical celebrations for families should not conflict with the spirit and mood of the liturgical season and celebration for the entire Church.
Also, preaching the sermon, the bishop quoted the Gospel according to St Matthew: 24: 37- 44, which urged the faithful to "stay awake so that you may be ready," at the night when the burglar would come...
"As it was in Noah's day, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. For those days before the Flood, people were eating, drinking, taking wives; taking husbands right up to the day Noah went into the Ark and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept all away.
"It will be like this when the Son of Man comes. Then, of two men in the fields, one is taken, one is left; of two women at the Millstone grinding, one is taken, one is left. "So, stay awake because you do not know the day when your Master is coming. You may be quite sure of this, that,if the house - holder had known at what what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house. Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect..."
What's Your Reaction?
