Catholic Secretariat seeks end to attack on churches
The Catholic Secretariat Abuja has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take decisive steps toward addressing the incessant Killings, Kidnappings, and gross abuse of human rights in different parts of the country.
At a Press Briefing on the state of the nation, the Director, of the Department of Church and Society, Catholic Secretariat, Reverend Father Uchechukwu Obodochina decry the recent gruesome killing of a Catholic Priest, Father Isaac Achi of Kafin-koro of Minna Diocese, Niger State by suspected bandits.
He explained “that Father Achi was burnt alive in his presbytery on the fateful day along with his priest Assistant who was shot in the leg, but narrowly escaped death and is currently in the hospital receiving treatment.
It would be recalled that the late Fr. Isaac Achi the parish priest of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Madalla was attacked on December 25th, 2011, during Christmas day mass where over 50 parishioners were gruesomely killed in a bomb blast.
Reverend Father Obodochina expressed worry that there have been 47 recorded attacks on the Catholic Church-killing of Catholic priests, nuns, and seminarians, and burning of churches and church-owned facilities, hence the need for the government at all levels to safeguard the lives and property of the Citizenry, irrespective of their Faith and political affiliation.
According to the Director, Department of Church and Society of Catholic Secretariat, Nigeria is a secular state that must be rule with justice and equity for all Citizens.
“Nigeria is a secular state with no religion as a state religion. The secular nature of the state authenticates the neutral and impartial status of government and guarantees the liberty of its citizens to belong to any religious group of their choice, without intimidation, coercion, and fear.” He said.
Reverend Obodochina while commiserating with members of St Peter and Paul Parish, and the larger Minna Diocese, called on the Federal and State governments to bring the perpetrators to book.
Reporting by Samuel Adeyinka, editing by Daniel Adejo