Catholic bishops of Nigeria, on Tuesday September 13 lifted the suspension placed on the activities of Knights of St. John International (KSJI) since February 16 this year.

This cheering news to the members of the Order was contained in a letter dated September 13, 2022 and signed by the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop of Owerri and Secretary, Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, Bishop of Uromi.

The decision of CBCN to lift the seven-month suspension took place during the 2nd Plenary Meeting of the bishops held at the Sacred Heart Pastoral Centre Orlu from Thursday 08/09/22 to Thursday 15/9/22.

The letter addressed to all members of the Knights of St. John International and their Ladies reads in part:

“You will recall that on 16 February 2022, we, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), suspended the activities of the Order of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) as a Catholic Organization in Nigeria for its failure to comply with our 10-point directives issued at Enugu on 26 August 2021 as a way of resolving the lingering crisis in the Order.

“Considering that the KSJI has now complied with those directives, we hereby lift the suspension and beseech you to fully implement the agreements that have facilitated the much-desired peace process.

“Whilst commending you to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, we earnestly urge you to shun the spirit of division and rancour so as to strengthen the bond of love that holds you together as a family and members of the body of Christ.”

Reacting to the news of the lifting of the suspension on KSJI, the Grand President of the Owerri Grand Commandery of the Ancient and Noble Order, Brg-Gen (Noble) Moses Ajeka on behalf of members expressed gratitude to God and to the CBCN.

He called on Knights and Ladies to be focused on living exemplary Christian life. The Grand President made his feelings known when he was addressing an emergency meeting of Grand elected officers, worthy presidents, district and regimental commanders at the KSJI complex Owerri on Thursday.

He stated that wherever people gather, whether in the family, village or community there is bound to be misunderstanding from time to time. But what matters is the ability to forgive and forget.

In her remarks at the occasion, the Grand Respected President, Noble Sr. Patricia Obi emphasized on the need to learn the necessary lessons from what happened so as to avoid a repeat and to rebuild the Order's good image by looking inwards to x-ray and address those acts of commissions and omissions.

SOURCE - https://theleaderap..com/2022/09/catholic-bishops-lift-suspension-on-ksji.html