Requiem masses were held in all parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi on Monday for the murdered priests and parishioners of Saint Ignatius Quasi Parish, Mbalom in Gwer Local Government Area of the state.
The Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, directed that masses be held throughout the diocese for the priests and the parishioners killed by gunmen during morning mass on April 24.
Anagbe described the deaths as “sacrilegious” and called on Christians, particularly Catholics, to hold to their faith despite such brazen acts of barbarism against their fellow members.
The attacks had been condemned by all Nigerians, including non Christians.
The masses, which held between 6pm and 7pm, were celebrated by parish priests at their respective parishes.
In his homily during the requiem mass on Monday, the Parish priest in charge of Saint Theresa’s Parish, Makurdi, Rev. Fr. Amos Mbachie, said the priests died for peace to reign in the state.
Mbachie was hopeful that their deaths, together with the 17 others, would end the spate of killings across the state.
He also offered prayers for the parishioners, who were killed during the attacks, and asked for the forgiveness of their sins.
At the Catholic Youth Centre Parish, Fr. Celestine Tyowua offered prayers for peace in Benue State and described the two priests as martyrs, saying that the church would soon commence the process of canonizing them as saints.
Tyowua charged parishioners to use their ballot power wisely in 2019 to prevent unnecessary blood shed in the country.
He advised them to be bold and courageous in speaking against injustice and wickedness in the society.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the killed priests are Felix Tyolaha and Joseph Gor, popularly called Joe Gor.
Tyolaha had a Masters Degree in Biology and worked before joining the priesthood, while Gor had tremendous interests in farming and was trained in rearing snails and specialised in maize cultivation.
The Director of Communications of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Moses Iorspuu, said Pope Francis had despatched a delegation of 50 bishops for the burial, which is expected to hold at the Ave Maria Prayer Pilgrimage Ground on the Ayati hilltop in Gwer Local Government Area.
Trending
- Transcorp Power appoints Non-Executive Directors
- Troops neutralise 192 terrorists, apprehend 341 others in one week – DHQ
- Why we sacked coach Paul Offor – Sporting Lagos FC Chair
- JUTH records first set of IVF quadruplets
- Victor Boniface: From military barracks to Bundesliga glory, by Kayode Adebiyi
- GOtv Boxing Night 31: Abimbola targets N1m cash prize
- Police arrest driver for alleged unlawful possession of pistols
- Navigating boss-subordinate relationship, by Kenechukwu Aguolu