The Catholic Church has a well-defined structure. by fada Ugwu

The Catholic church is one of the most organized institutions in the world.

Even as a priest, I cannot go to any diocese (place) and begin to operate without the diocesan Bishop of that place giving me the authority to do so.

I may be so gifted, possessing the powers to celebrate the sacraments as a priest, but I need what is called faculty (authority) to exercise those gifts or powers.

As a Catholic fellow, the chief shepherd of your diocese is the Bishop. If there is any priest or lay faithful who is operating a prayer ministry that is not approved by the Bishop in your diocese, you are bound not to go there. If you do, you are living in disobedience.

And if you want to reflect on this deeper, you can think of Adam and Eve. Their sin is not that they ate the fruit, but that they disobeyed the command given to them not to eat it.

So when there is a prayer ministry springing up, as a faithful Catholic, what you should first ask is, did the bishop approve of it? If NO, whatever you do there, as long as you are a Catholic, is disobedience and disobedience is a sin.

Priests or laypeople can open a prayer ministry, but they have to get approval from the Bishop. There are procedures to go about this, and they all know that. The reason is to safeguard the faith of the people from errors and deceit.

Hate me if you want. Say anything you want to say. Threaten me if that makes you sleep well at night... As far as being Catholic is concerned, that is the teaching. And is a Full Stop!

This is why I told you, there is nothing like I am Catholic BUT...

It is either you are in or out. Don't confuse yourself

DEBUNKING MYTHS ABOUT SEX...

 DEBUNKING MYTHS ABOUT SEX...

1. WHEN THE MAN STRUGGLES TO ERECT, HE IS CHEATING

Sometimes a man will struggle to erect or sustain an erection because he is stressed, tired, overthinking or he feels you disrespect him as his wife. Don't be so quick to accuse him of cheating.

2. ONCE A CHEAT, ALWAYS A CHEAT

Yes, infidelity hurts; some continue with the lifestyle but others transform to stop and be a better spouse. People can change. Marriages can thrive after infidelity if the two choose to fight for it and heal it.

3. IF A WOMAN DOESN'T SQUIRT, SHE IS NOT SEXUALLY SATISFIED

Not every woman will squirt in their lifetime; some even don't long to squirt because they find it messy. Don't feel under pressure, intimacy is much deeper, not a chase after squirts.

4. A WOMAN WHO HAS GIVEN BIRTH IS TOO WIDE DOWN THERE

The vagina is very elastic, it can expand and contract. A woman can go back to tightness after giving birth, let us not make motherhood seem like a pleasure killer.

5. YOUR HUSBAND HATES YOUR STRETCHMARKS

Many women feel insecure about their stretchmarks because of their own insecurities or the judgement from other women. Most men don't even complain about stretchmarks, all they want is some good loving inside the wife. Lady, you are beautiful as you are. Relax!

6. SIZE IS EVERYTHING

The size of the penis is not everything, skill is. Regardless of the God-given size or shape of your penis; what your wife wants is that you be creative and skillfull with it as you confidently give her that good feeling.

7. EVERY SEXUAL EPISODE A COUPLE HAS MUST BE THE SAME

Last night's love making might have been so intense, today it might be calm and flat. Not every time it will be similar. Stop trying to recreate a memory, enjoy each episode and make it unique. Don't panic or think your marriage is under threat when the sex this week doesn't match last week's fireworks.

8. EVERY PERSON HAS THE SAME SEXUAL SPOTS

Don't copy paste what you hear about others. Not every woman has sensitive nipples, not every man loves their balls played with. Some ladies find their inner thighs ticklish, some men love their nipples pinched. Find out how your spouse wants it. Discover!

9. EVERY WOMAN CLIMAXES JUST ONCE

Some women can only climax once and some can climax over and over. Find out what kind of a woman she is

10. THOSE WHO MARRIED AS VIRGINS OR WITH LITTLE SEXUAL EXPERIENCE ARE BORING IN BED

You don't need training with many people to be great in bed; all you need is to emotionally connect and be willing to learn your spouse and to enjoy and give pleasure and your sex life will be amazing.

11. SEX IN AFFAIRS IS SWEETER THAN SEX IN MARRIAGE

Affairs are fun because they are new, passionate, they have a lot of investment in flirting and emotional bonding, and there is a build up of excitement. All those things you can bring into your marriage. You can have a steamy affair with your spouse.

12. A COUPLE THAT HAS HAD AN AVERAGE SEX LIFE CAN NEVER IMPROVE

Any couple that feels their sex life sucks can shake things up and bring fire into their love life. Are you willing to go on an adventure on each other's body?

13. EVERY MAN WAKES UP WITH A HARD ON

Not every man will wake up horny, so don't think he is not attracted to you just because he doesn't want some each morning. You can start him up though.

14. SPIRITUAL PEOPLE ARE PATHETIC IN BED

You can be spiritual and still be highly sexual. Sex was created by God. God is a romantic God. In fact, the more you grow as a believer, the more romantic and expressive you should become, understanding the beauty and power of sexual intimacy done as unto the Lord.

15. IF YOU LIKE MAKING LOVE AT NIGHT, YOUR SPOUSE WILL AUTOMATICALLY WANT THE SAME

Your spouse might enjoy making love a different time than you. Some people are night people, others are morning ones; the goal is to compromise and accommodate each other's preferences in the marriage to tend to each other's needs.

16. EVERY INFECTION IS BECAUSE OF INFIDELITY

Sometimes your infection as a woman is not brought about by your man giving you an STI, you could be having a UTI, or an infection brought about by your hygiene, toilet use, underwear not properly dried before wearing or internal body fluids. Don't be so quick to jump into conclusions.

On Catholics Receiving the Eucharist in other Churches by fada Ugwu

 On Catholics Receiving the Eucharist in other Churches

When Martin Luther broke out of the catholic church, he founded his church called the Lutheran church. As expected, he started formulating his doctrines and theology to suit his beliefs.

Of all the doctrines he created, the one on the Holy Eucharist brought about a division even among him and his friends who pioneered the reformation.

Catholics believe that after consecration of bread and wine, the bread changes into Christ’s body and the wine changes into Christ’s blood. Christ is truly and substantially present in the elements themselves. Though the taste and physical appearances remain the taste and appearance of bread and wine, but the essence (substance), i.e. what makes it bread or wine, is changed. This is what Catholic theology coined as Transubstantiation (the transformation of the substance of bread and wine.)

Luther, on the other hand, after studying John 6, believed just like Catholics, that at consecration, the bread and wine become the true body and blood of Christ. But for Luther, he differ from the catholic teaching by holding that the substance does not change. To him, both the physical appearance and taste and also the substance of bread and wine do not change but Christ is present in them, with them, and under them. Theologians refer to this as Consubstantiation.

Zwingli, one of the reformers, disagreed with Luther. Zwingli believed that Christ is not present in the Eucharist in any way. The Eucharist was only a memorial and carried no more significance than that. He interpreted the words of Christ, "This is my body, broken for you" (Matthew 22:19) to be a figure of speech. For him, the bread and wine are just symbols of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.

Other reformers disagreed with Zwingli. For them, Christ is present in the Eucharist, but he is ONLY present spiritually and not literally like the Catholic and Lutheran teachings. And it is only through faith that we receive him.

So, you see... The different reformers all parted ways. Luther founded the Lutheran Church, Zwingli founded the Calvinist church, John Knox founded The Presbyterian Church, John Smyth founded the Baptist church. . .All of them with their own theology and teachings on the Eucharist.

Coming down to Pentecostal churches and churches springing up every day, no one is sure what their belief on the Eucharist is. Most of the time, everything is left at the discretion of the pastor and how he feels. The day he wants to do communion service, he will do so. Whether they believe that it is the real body and blood of Jesus, or a symbol or something they just do to get members. . . I can't tell you.

So, it is not about attending other denominations or receiving "their" communion, it is more of, what really are you receiving and what is their teaching? The communion you want to receive there, is it the body and blood of Christ? Which authority qualifies the minister to even run a church in the first place not to talk of celebrating the Eucharist?

FUTURE DIRECTIONS AND EMERGING ISSUES

As we move into Module 15 of our course on future directions and emerging issues in GBV, it is crucial to examine the impact of technology on this form of violence. Technology has undoubtedly revolutionized the way we communicate and interact with one another, but it has also opened new avenues for perpetrating acts of violence.

One subtopic explored in this essay is the role of social media in facilitating GBV. With the rise of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, perpetrators have found new ways to harass, stalk, and intimidate their victims online. Cyberbullying and revenge porn are just a few examples of how technology has been used to perpetuate harm against individuals.

Another subtopic that will be discussed is the use of surveillance technology in controlling and monitoring victims of GBV. From spyware installed on smartphones to hidden cameras in homes, abusers have increasingly turned to technology to exert power and control over their victims.

By examining these subtopics, we can gain a better understanding of how technology both exacerbates and perpetuates gender-based violence in our society. We can address these emerging issues effectively through awareness and education.

Impact Of Technology on Gender-based Violence

With the advancement of technology, new forms of violence have emerged, creating complex challenges for victims and advocates alike. This subtopic explores the impact of technology on gender-based violence, focusing on two key subtopics: the role of social media in perpetuating violence and technological tools for preventing gender-based violence.

Social media platforms have become powerful tools for communication and networking, but they also serve as breeding grounds for harassment and abuse. The anonymity afforded by online interactions can embolden perpetrators to engage in harmful behaviors, leading to increased instances of cyberbullying, revenge porn, and stalking. Understanding how social media contributes to the perpetuation of gender-based violence is crucial in developing effective prevention strategies.

On the other hand, technological advancements offer promising solutions for addressing gender-based violence. From mobile apps that provide resources for victims to wearable devices that can alert authorities in case of an emergency, technology has the potential to empower individuals and enhance their safety. By exploring innovative technological tools designed to prevent gender-based violence, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society free from harm and discrimination. 

Role Of Social Media in Perpetuating Violence

Social media plays a significant role in perpetuating violence, particularly gender-based violence, by providing a platform for individuals to spread harmful ideologies and incite hatred. The anonymity and distance provided by social media platforms allow perpetrators to target victims without fear of immediate consequences, encouraging them to carry out acts of violence. Furthermore, the rapid dissemination of information through social media can amplify the spread of harmful stereotypes and misinformation that contribute to the normalization of violence against marginalized groups. The virality of content on social media also enables violent acts to be shared widely, creating a sense of desensitization among viewers and reinforcing harmful behaviors. Additionally, social media algorithms may inadvertently promote content that glorifies or justifies violence, further entrenching these harmful narratives in society. Overall, the role of social media in perpetuating gender-based violence cannot be understated, as it serves as a powerful tool for both inciting and normalizing violent behavior toward marginalized groups. 

Technological Tools for Preventing Gender-based Violence

In addressing and preventing gender-based violence, technological tools have emerged as a potent force in combating this pervasive issue. With the rise of digital platforms and innovative applications, individuals now have access to a plethora of resources and support systems that can aid in safeguarding against instances of violence based on gender. One such tool is the development of mobile applications that provide immediate assistance to distressed individuals, allowing them to quickly alert authorities or loved ones when faced with a threatening situation. 

Additionally, social media platforms have been utilized as powerful tools for raising awareness about gender-based violence and fostering a sense of community among survivors and advocates. Furthermore, advancements in surveillance technology have enabled law enforcement agencies to track and apprehend perpetrators of gender-based violence more effectively. Overall, the integration of technological tools into efforts aimed at preventing gender-based violence has significantly enhanced our ability to address this complex issue and provide support to those affected by it. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the impact of technology on gender-based violence is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires careful consideration and action. Social media plays a significant role in perpetuating violence by providing a platform for harassment, stalking, and other forms of abuse. However, technological tools also offer potential solutions for preventing gender-based violence, such as apps that provide resources for victims or tools that track and report abusive behavior.

Policymakers, law enforcement agencies, tech companies, and individuals must work together to address the challenges posed by technology in the context of gender-based violence. By raising awareness about the risks associated with social media and developing innovative solutions to combat online abuse, we can create a safer digital environment for everyone.

Methodologies For Collecting GBV Data

 

To effectively address and combat GBV, it is essential to collect accurate and comprehensive data on the prevalence and impact of such violence. Various methodologies can be employed to collect GBV data, each with strengths and limitations.

One standard methodology for collecting GBV data is through surveys and questionnaires. These tools allow researchers to gather information directly from individuals who have experienced or witnessed GBV. Surveys can be administered in person, over the phone, or online, making them a versatile option for data collection. Questionnaires can also be tailored to specific populations or types of GBV, allowing for more targeted data collection.

Another methodology for collecting GBV data is through interviews and focus groups. These qualitative methods allow researchers to delve deeper into the experiences and perspectives of individuals affected by GBV. Interviews can provide rich narratives that offer insights into the complexities of GBV dynamics, while focus groups allow for group discussions that can uncover shared experiences and patterns of violence.

In addition to surveys and interviews, researchers can also utilize secondary data sources to collect GBV data. This may include analyzing existing datasets from government agencies, NGOs, or academic institutions that have collected information on GBV incidents. Secondary data sources can provide valuable insights into trends in GBV prevalence over time or across different populations.

Ethnographic research is another methodology that can be used to collect GBV data. This approach involves immersing oneself in a particular community or setting to observe firsthand the dynamics of gender-based violence. Ethnographic research allows researchers to deeply understand the cultural norms and social structures contributing to GBV within a specific context.

While each methodology has its strengths, researchers need to consider the limitations of each approach when collecting GBV data. Surveys and questionnaires may be limited by response bias or underreporting due to the stigma surrounding GBV. Interviews and focus groups may also be biased if participants feel pressured to conform to their responses.

Various methodologies are available for collecting GBV data, each with advantages and limitations. Researchers can gather comprehensive and nuanced insights into the prevalence and impact of gender-based violence by combining quantitative and qualitative approaches such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, secondary data sources, and ethnographic research. These methodologies must be implemented ethically and with sensitivity toward survivors of violence to ensure an accurate representation of their experiences. Only through rigorous data collection efforts can we hope to develop effective interventions that address the root causes of gender-based violence in our society today.

GBV DATA COLLECTION AND RESEARCH

One of the critical challenges in GBV research is the lack of standardized definitions and measurement tools. GBV encompasses a wide range of behaviors, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse. To accurately capture the prevalence of these different forms of violence, researchers must use validated instruments that are sensitive to cultural differences and nuances. Additionally, researchers must be mindful of ethical considerations when collecting data on sensitive topics such as GBV.

Another challenge in GBV research is underreporting. Many individuals who experience violence may be reluctant to disclose their experiences due to fear of retaliation or stigma. As a result, official statistics may underestimate the true prevalence of GBV in a given population. Researchers must, therefore, employ innovative methods such as anonymous surveys or qualitative interviews to capture hidden forms of violence.

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of survivor-centered approaches in GBV research. Survivor-centered research places survivors at the center of the research process, allowing them to define their needs and priorities. By involving survivors in all stages of the research process – from study design to dissemination – researchers can ensure that their voices are heard and their experiences are accurately represented.

In collecting quantitative data on the prevalence of GBV, researchers must also conduct qualitative research to understand the underlying causes and consequences of violence. Qualitative methods such as focus groups or interviews can provide valuable insights into how social norms, cultural beliefs, and institutional practices contribute to community violence patterns. By combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, researchers can develop a more nuanced understanding of GBV that considers individual experiences and broader structural factors.

Effective data collection is essential for advancing our understanding of gender-based violence and developing evidence-based interventions. By using rigorous methods sensitive to survivors’ needs and experiences, researchers can generate high-quality data that informs policy and practice at all levels. Researchers must continue refining their methodologies to capture the full complexity of GBV dynamics within diverse populations.