Israel/Hamas War: Why We Suspended Pilgrimage, Pilgrim Boss Speaks
- Nigerian Christian pilgrims would not be visiting Jerusalem in Israel for the first time in a long while
- The Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) on Wednesday, January 10, confirmed this development to newsmen
- The commission said the decision was taken due to the ongoing heated crisis between Israel and Hamas
Legit.ng journalist Segun Adeyemi has over 9 years of experience covering political events, civil societies, courts, and metro
Due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and the primary focus on ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens, Reverend Yakubu Pam, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), announced a change in pilgrimage destinations.
In an interaction with pressmen in Abuja, he said instead of visiting Israel and Jordan, the pilgrimage will now include Biblical sites in Rome and Greece.
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Reverend Pam emphasised that the decision to suspend the Christian pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan in December 2023 was solely based on concerns for the safety and security of Nigerian citizens.
The new pilgrimage is scheduled to take place at the end of January, prioritising the well-being of the participants.
He highlighted that it took a considerable amount of time for the NCPC under his leadership to start considering visits to significant Biblical sites in Jordan, a predominantly Muslim country.
Christian pilgrim to visit Greece, Rome
He mentioned that due to the prolonged Israel/Hamas conflict that commenced on October 7, 2023, his teams were able to thoroughly analyze previous research on Biblical sites in Greece and Rome.
During this period, he led teams to assess accommodation facilities and existing Biblical sites, among other responsibilities.
He said:
“I have led NCPC teams to inspect holy sites across Greece and Rome, we have discussed extensively with government and local authorities and security, accommodation and good hospitality is assured as the very first batch of Nigerian Christian pilgrims visit these places to connect physically with New Testament locations of the gospel and do spiritual exercises including meditation and prayers for our dear nation."
The NCPC has announced a revised pilgrimage cost of N3 million, covering expenses such as return flight tickets, hotel accommodation, three meals per day, and tours of holy sites in executive luxury buses for six nights and seven days.
He said this cost does not include allowances for pilgrims, and state and private pilgrims must make payments by the end of January 2024.
Reverend Yakubu Pam highlights that the new pilgrimage sites will include locations where Apostle Paul, also known as Saint Paul, fervently spread the teachings of Jesus Christ, converting polytheists and idol worshippers through extensive physical journeys.
Pope Francis endorses catholic priests to bless LGBTQ couple
Meanwhile, the Vatican has announced that Pope Francis has authorised priests to bless same-sex couples as a sign of welcoming the LGBTQ community of the Roman Catholic Church.
According to the Pope, this move does not change the Roman Catholic Church's stand on marriages which is still between men and women.
This comes months after the Vatican leader suggested that he was open to blessing same-gender marriages.
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