By CHIDI MATTHEW NWACHUKWU

The Anambra State branch of the Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, has joined the rest of the world in mourning the passing of the Supreme Pontiff, Pope Francis the first, who went to be with the Lord on Easter Monday, 21st April, 2025.

In a condolence message jointly signed by the Organization’s Chairman and Secretary, Comrades Evangelist Vincent Ezekwueme and Chidi Mbah, and tagged “the consequences of birth is death,” the group described the late spiritual leader as “a renowned courageous reformer, transformative world peace maker and lover, who impacted positively on the spiritual, economic, political and cultural life of the global community.”

The group further hailed the late Pope’s stellar accomplishments in the areas of advocacy against injustice and discrimination of the poor, and in speaking up for the safeguarding of human lives and dignity, and the aggressive preaching of the Gospel of salvation.

“He devoted and dedicated his papacy in advocating for protection of the poorest of the poor, safeguarding of human rights, preservations of human lives and dignity and most importantly aggressive preaching and spreading of gospel of salvation to all nooks and crannies of the world in tandem with the teachings of Jesus Christ,” the message read.

The remaining part of the message reads thus:

“His famous wise assertion that “when one suffers directly, everyone suffers indirectly,” is the climax of his love for the interest and wellbeing of the oppressed, downtrodden, underprivileged and victims of human rights abuses.

“Pertinently, his love for socioeconomic justice, unprecedented developments and peaceful coexistence of the global community and world order prompted his incessant advocacy for peace as panacea to conflicts, wars, crisis, cries and rife bedeviling the world.

“Pope Francis believed, advocated and fought for justice as the only sources of peace, tranquility, unity, tolerance, equity and an egalitarian society.

“CLO prays to God to forgive his shortcomings and grant his gentle, peaceful and humble soul eternal repose.

“May God grants his immediate family, Vaticans, Global and Nigerians Catholics the grace and fortitude to bear and endure the irreparable and irreplaceable loss.”